National media outlet names Tennessee Vols' most important conference game in 2023
The Tennessee Vols aren't the favorites to win the national championship in 2023, but the program's goal, regardless of what anyone outside the program thinks, is to win it all in Josh Heupel's third season as UT's head coach. Of course, that's always going to be the goal under Heupel. The former Heisman Trophy runner-up […]
The Tennessee Vols aren't the favorites to win the national championship in 2023, but the program's goal, regardless of what anyone outside the program thinks, is to win it all in Josh Heupel's third season as UT's head coach.
Of course, that's always going to be the goal under Heupel.
The former Heisman Trophy runner-up has made it clear during his first couple of years in Knoxville that he's never going to put a limit on what Tennessee football can accomplish.
Winning a championship in college football, however, is incredibly difficult — especially with Georgia showing no signs of slowing down. Everything will have to break just right for the Vols to win their first natty in 25 years.
Ultimately, Heupel will be judged in 2023 on whether or not Tennessee can build on the momentum from last year's 11-win season.
That means the Vols probably need to win at least 10 games in 2023. If Tennessee suffers losses to Alabama and Georgia, it will be disappointing for fans, but no one will be losing their mind (well…most fans won't be) if the Vols drop those games.
Games against some other teams, however, are a different story. Tennessee needs to beat Florida in Gainesville. And they need to get revenge against South Carolina after the embarrassing 25 point loss in Columbia last season (which essentially knocked the Volunteers out of the playoff).
Speaking of South Carolina, that's the game that On3 labeled this week as the Vols' most important conference game in 2023.
From On3: Sure, Tennessee would love to get revenge on Georgia in a late November showdown in Neyland Stadium, but for that game to carry the stakes of last year’s matchup, the Vols will need to take care of business earlier in the 2023 season.
That’s why I’m eyeing a different revenge spot for Tennessee. A Week 5 matchup against South Carolina comes at a key time in UT’s schedule this fall. Depending on what happens against Florida on Sept. 16, a win over the Gamecocks — which housed Tennessee 63-38 in 2022 — should make the Vols, at worst, 4-1 heading into a tough three-game stretch of Texas A&M, at Alabama and at Kentucky.
It's hard to disagree with their take — Heupel absolutely can't drop two of his first three matchups to Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks. But I think the game against Florida has a case here, too.
In the past, the Vols have failed to take advantage of "down" Florida teams. The Gators are still finding their way under second-year head coach Billy Napier, which means the 2023 season will be the best chance for the Vols to get a win in Gainesville since knocking off the Gators in The Swamp in 2003.
If anything, I could see both of these games having equal importance for Tennessee in 2023. Losing either of them would be devastating for Heupel and the Vols.
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Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
