Josh Heupel might have thrown some shade at Kentucky after Vols' 44-6 win
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel would probably tell you that he doesn't have a favorite win this season. Heupel seems like the type of guy who treats wins like his kids — he can't pick a favorite (at least publicly). But if you were to guess which win was his favorite, you'd probably guess […]
Tennessee Vols head coach Josh Heupel would probably tell you that he doesn't have a favorite win this season.
Heupel seems like the type of guy who treats wins like his kids — he can't pick a favorite (at least publicly).
But if you were to guess which win was his favorite, you'd probably guess the Alabama game. And I'd say there's a good chance you'd be right.
I think the Kentucky win, however, might give the Alabama win a run for its money.
That's because the Kentucky win might have been personal for Heupel.
Most fans know the history between Heupel and the Stoops family.
After the 2014 season, Heupel was fired as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator by then-head coach Bob Stoops, despite the fact that the Sooners averaged 36 points per game.
Oklahoma's defense, which was ranked No. 56 in the nation that season, was the bigger issue.
But instead of firing defensive coordinator Mike Stoops (Bob's brother), Bob Stoops fired Heupel.
The relationship between Heupel and the Stoops family hasn't been the same since.
And Heupel was undoubtedly aware that two Stoops brothers — Wildcats head coach Mark Stoops and linebackers coach Mike Stoops — were across the sideline on Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.
That storyline, combined with Kentucky quarterback Will Levis insinuating last week that Tennessee doesn't play "real football", made this game personal for Heupel and the Vols.
If you think Heupel and Tennessee ignored the comments from Levis, I'm pretty sure you're wrong.
Vols offensive coordinator Alex Golesh mentioned "real football" in a tweet after the game, as did UT wide receiver Grant Frerking.
Heupel got in on the shade as well, albeit more subtly.
While discussing the Vols' defensive performance against Kentucky, Heupel pointed out that Tennessee's defense played "real ball".
"Defensively, they did an unbelievable job dominating, controlling the line of scrimmage," said Heupel after the win. "Did a great job matching out guys on the back end. Played real ball tonight. Suffocating defense. It was fun to watch those guys."
Heupel also appeared to make a point on the field in the first half with a 15-play 75-yard drive that ended with a touchdown run by Princeton Fant.
It almost felt like that was Heupel's way of showing Kentucky that Tennessee isn't a one-trick pony. The Vols can go on long drives and have success, too.
After everything Heupel went through at Oklahoma, and the way folks have tried to nitpick his offense as "gimmicky", it's understandable if the win against Kentucky, after all of the Wildcats' talk about Pro-Style offenses, fired Heupel up a bit this week.
Heupel is smart — he lets the results on the field do his trash-talking.
And those results had plenty to say on Saturday night in Knoxville.
Featured image via Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
