“There’s only one real UT. One right shade of orange.”
That confident (cocky) statement by Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel was a shot at eventual SEC member Texas. However, it had to be music to the ears of Vols fans everywhere.
Heupel and his squad have high expectations for the 2023 season and are vowing to win the SEC East. In other words, they plan to knock off the back-to-back National Champion Georgia Bulldogs.
Senior defensive tackle Omari Thomas emphasized the team’s newfound mindset, saying: “That first year, we hoped to win. Now, we expect to win every game. Everybody on this team will tell you that we expect to win the East.”
For this to happen, the Vols will have to go through the Georgia Bulldogs, who delivered a 27-13 defeat to Tennessee in Athens last season.
The Vols learned valuable lessons from that game, with head coach Josh Heupel stressing the importance of controlling emotions and mastering the little details. “You’ve got to learn from it and be better for it,” Heupel commented.
A significant part of Tennessee’s optimism lies in the talent of their rocket-armed quarterback, Joe Milton III, who is entering his fifth college football season after transferring from Michigan.
Milton’s impressive performances at the Manning Passing Academy and praise from NFL scouts have boosted expectations for the Vols.
“We’re just playing a game that we love and doing the things we want to do, and that’s winning the East,” Milton asserted confidently.
The quarterback remains undeterred by the challenge of facing power teams like Alabama and Florida, having already broken a 15-game losing streak against the Crimson Tide last season and securing a victory against the Gators.
The Vols schedule may be more daunting this season, with away games in both Tuscaloosa and Gainesville. However, the team is unfazed and has their sights firmly set on their ultimate goal.
Heupel commended the players for their continued drive and lack of complacency, stating: “There was a heightened sense of urgency, hyper-competitiveness, more accountability” after their breakthrough season last year.
Senior tight end Jacob Warren, who grew up in Knoxville, understands the high expectations and passion of the Tennessee fan base.
He acknowledged the overwhelming support while emphasizing the team’s own higher expectations. “No one wants it more than we do. Nobody expects that we’re going to win more games than we do. We obviously appreciate the support, but no one has higher expectations than we do, and that’s the way it should be,” Warren stated.
With their fan base rallying behind them, the Vols are looking to make a mark in Year three under Heupel. The team is driven to prove their mettle in the SEC and plans to spread the right shade of orange throughout Mercedes-Benz Stadium in the SEC championship game on December 2nd.
Dare I ask… Do you think Tennessee has any chance to top Georgia in the SEC East?
The strength of schedules for the two are polar opposites with the Bulldogs having a relative cakewalk.
But the question remains: Is 2023 the Vols year?