Watch: Josh Heupel and Hendon Hooker have a clear goal for the Tennessee Vols in 2022
When the 2022 season gets underway next fall, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel is going to tell reporters that his goal is to go 1-0 every week. That's what every coach says. But make no mistake, Heupel has a bigger goal. And it's something that Tennessee hasn't achieved since 2007. Win the SEC East. […]
When the 2022 season gets underway next fall, Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel is going to tell reporters that his goal is to go 1-0 every week.
That's what every coach says.
But make no mistake, Heupel has a bigger goal. And it's something that Tennessee hasn't achieved since 2007.
Win the SEC East.
On Tuesday, during a media session with reporters, Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker revealed that he casually told Heupel as he was walking off the practice field that he was planning to return to UT next season.
Heupel's reaction?
"Let's go to Atlanta."
Atlanta, of course, is where the SEC Championship game is held the first Saturday in December each year.
Tennessee won't be the favorites to win the SEC East in 2022 — that will likely be Georgia.
I wouldn't be surprised, however, if the Vols are picked by the media to finish second in the SEC East.
Tennessee finished third in the SEC East this year, just behind Kentucky and the division-winning Bulldogs.
All it takes is an upset or two and the Vols are right there in that conversation.
Now, that's not what I'm expecting to happen. Unless half of Georgia's team hits the transfer portal, I'll be picking the Bulldogs to win the SEC East next year.
But that doesn't change that winning the SEC East should always be Tennessee's goal. And Vol fans should be happy that Heupel isn't shying away from high expectations.
Featured image via Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
