KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Two days out from the 105th all-time meeting between the Volunteers and Crimson Tide on the gridiron, Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel met with members of the media Thursday morning to preview the top-10 rivalry matchup. The two storied programs meet for The Third Saturday in October as unbeatens for the first time since 1989 on Saturday inside Neyland Stadium (CBS, 3:30 p.m. ET).
The national spotlight will shine on Rocky Top this weekend as ESPN’s College GameDay returns to Knoxville for the second time in four weeks, while SEC Network’s SEC Nation and Marty & McGee will also originate live from campus on Saturday morning with Tennessee’s gridiron cathedral serving as the backdrop.
With all the history, pomp and circumstance surrounding Saturday’s bout between the sixth-ranked Vols and third-ranked Tide, Heupel expressed the importance of keeping his team even-keeled while also taking small moments to enjoy the build-up to what promises to be an electric atmosphere.
“You better enjoy it,” Heupel said of the gameday atmosphere. “There has been a lot of work that has gone on from our staff and our players to be able to play in games like this that matter from the outside. To have this type of attention, you should enjoy Vol Walk. There is not a better pregame experience in all of college football than that. The energy inside of our stadium when you are running through the T, you better enjoy that moment.”
When the ball kicks off and clock starts running, however, it is time to lock in and focus on the task at hand.
“Now, when the ball is kicked off, it’s 11-on-11, you have to reset. You have to be focused on your job at a really high level. When you are on the sidelines, you have to be able to take adjustments and then go execute them. You have to be in the moment, but for a brief second you can enjoy the buildup and the lead up to kick off. I think our players have handled it in a pretty good way this year.”
Off to its first 5-0 start since 2016, Tennessee is seeking its first win over the Tide since 2006 in Knoxville. While recognizing the magnitude of the matchup, Heupel understands the past has no bearing on the outcome of Saturday’s game and has echoed that sentiment within the Big Orange locker room.
“This is a big one because it’s the next one,” Heupel remarked. “Obviously, this is a rivalry game too. We understand the type of opponent that we’re playing. It’s a big game for everybody inside the program because this is the one we got on Saturday afternoon. For our fanbase, our former players, understanding the importance that this is one of the games that everybody circles. At the same time, there’s not a play that we made or didn’t make last week that’s going to help us in this one. The same is true with this rivalry over here over the recent years. For everybody inside of our program, it’s about this week, this opportunity.”
Heupel’s Thursday press conference transcript can be viewed below.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Oct. 13, 2022
Head Coach Josh Heupel
Opening statement…
“I hope everybody is doing well. [It was] a good Thursday for us, and obviously, we are looking forward to Friday, pushing forward, and being ready to go play our best football. [It will] be a great environment. Looking forward to it.”
On if there’s any update on Jaylen McCollough and who could see action in his spot if he isn’t available…
“We’re getting multiple guys ready to play, and obviously with the situation there is a process that goes on and we’re still going through that, and we’ll see where we get to late tomorrow.”
On prepping for two separate quarterbacks…
“Yeah, their skill sets are a little bit different. The thing about both of them is that they’re mobile. You are going to see some of the base offense with whoever is playing. You have to prepare and have a plan for both of them anyways, depending on how the game unfolds. So, for us, our defensive players, but our coaching staff as well having a plan for both.”
On Alabama running back Jahmyr Gibbs…
“He’s got really good pace, vision, delivers blocks really well, slow to go early [but] once he hits the hole, he’s got an explosive nature about him. He’s got the ability to make you miss in open space and can take it the distance. He’s a really good back.”
On what it would mean to the program to come out with a victory over Alabama…
“This is a big one because it’s the next one. Obviously, this is a rivalry game too. We understand the type of opponent that we’re playing. It’s a big game for everybody inside the program because this is the one we got on Saturday afternoon. For our fanbase, our former players, understanding the importance that this is one of the games that everybody circles. At the same time, there’s not a play that we made or didn’t make last week that’s going to help us in this one. The same is true with this rivalry over here over the recent years. For everybody inside of our program, it’s about this week, this opportunity.”
On the way that the team has prepared for these rivalry games…
“I think that there has to be a consistent nature in the way that you approach every day inside of your building. You know, the big games have more media attention. There might be more noise as the week continues to go on, but your approach, your preparation, your practice habits have to be really consistent, otherwise your performance can vary. This group continues to get better in the way that we approach everything. We continue to practice better. They enjoy practicing. Good teams get better throughout the course of the week. I like the approach and what we have done so far this week.”
On enjoying the Vol Walk and atmosphere during these big games…
“You better enjoy it. There has been a lot of work that has gone on from our staff and our players to be able to play in games like this that matter from the outside. To have this type of attention, you should enjoy Vol Walk. There is not a better pregame experience in all of college football than that. The energy inside of our stadium, when you are running through the T, you better enjoy that moment. Now, when the ball is kicked off, it’s 11-on-11, you have to reset. You have to be focused on your job at a really high level. When you are on the sidelines, you have to be able to take adjustments and then go execute them. You have to be in the moment, but for a brief second you can enjoy the buildup and the lead up to kick off. I think our players have handled it in a pretty good way this year.”
On what will be important for the offensive line to have success against Alabama’s front…
“If it was just one guy, it would be easier. They are good across the board and when whoever in their front four steps on the field, they have the ability to rush the passer. They are dynamic and destructive in the run game too. We have to have balance. You don’t want to be living in third and long against these guys. We have to do a good job on early downs. At the end of the day, we are going to have to win some one-on-one pass pro battles in those third and long situations.”
-UT Athletics
