Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee has a significant problem that could endanger his…..TERRIBLE NEWS……
The honeymoon is over for Josh Heupel. He’s almost certainly going to hear some criticism from Tennessee Vols fans after UT’s disastrous performance on Saturday afternoon in Columbia.
Tennessee fell to 7-3 after their uninspiring performance in a 36-7 loss to Missouri.
The Vols entered Saturday with an 11-win season in reach. They left Saturday with a ton of questions that have to be answered.
Tennessee was outclassed in every way on Saturday. Missouri’s play calling was better. They blocked better. Their defense played more inspired. And their offensive players simply looked like they wanted it more.
Unfortunately, these types of games are becoming common under Heupel. As good as the program has been at times under Heupel — and make no mistake, he’s the right guy to lead Tennessee — there are way too many “stinkers” for this program to be a championship contender.
Over the last two seasons, the Vols have now had four games (South Carolina in 2022; Florida, Alabama, and Missouri in 2023) where they simply haven’t shown up.
It’s understandable if a game like that happens every couple of years. But it absolutely can’t happen four times in less than two years. Championship caliber programs don’t have those kinds of performances on the regular.
Missouri is a good team this season. There’s no dishonor in losing to them on the road in a tight game. But having the wheels completely fall off? Inexcusable.
Heupel is a smart guy. He’s done things at Tennessee that haven’t been done in 20 years. He can fix this issue. But he’s going to have to make some unpopular decisions to fix it. That means maybe not showing so much loyalty at time to staff members or coaches that have been with him for a long time. Or to players that have stuck around for several seasons. Because it’s clear that there are too many people associated with Tennessee’s program right now that simply don’t have that “dog” in them.
The Vols need more Jauan Jennings-type players and coaches. Right now, they don’t have nearly enough of that mindset in the program. And until they do, they’re going to keep having performances like the one they did on Saturday.
