THE DAY AFTER:MISSISSIPPI ST.
We won the game, so we’re OK...right? RIGHT?!?
Another week, another win for the Vols. But why does it feel like the boys may have lost ground in their pursuit of a College Football Playoff spot?
Because that may have been EXACTLY what happened...maybe not today, but in terms of residual effect later in the season.
Tennessee had little trouble disposing of Mississippi St. 33-14, in a game that had all sorts of subplots. Another untimely turnover early in the game (not gonna name names, but...), some cracks in the veneer of the Vols elite defense starting to show, oh, and injuries to our three most critical players. No biggie, right...RIGHT?!?
via Tennessee Athletics
All of that happened in a 60-minute game on Saturday, and even with the Vols winning in relatively convincing fashion, other things went on in the SEC that made us stop and stare for a minute. Important things...like...
Georgia, that recent two-time National Champion who became a two-time regular season loser in 2024, as they went down to Oxford, and got handled by Ole Miss 28-10. After scoring the opening touchdown, the Dawgs were absolutely stifled by the Rebs, and in doing so, Georgia became ordinary, while Ole Miss achieved a few things themselves. First off, they ripped the “can’t win the big game” monkey off of Lane Kiffin’s back. This was arguably the biggest game of Lane’s coaching career, and his team rose to the occasion in a big way. Second, by winning, it put Ole Miss firmly back into the College Football Playoff discussion. After two disappointing losses, the Rebs have won 3 straight, including two very impressive back to back wins, the first, a nuclear offensive performance against Arkansas last week, where Ole Miss rang up 63 points and over 700 yards of total offense, and then yesterday’s bottling up of Georgia. Now all Kiffin’s Krew needs to do is win out against Florida and Mississippi St. in The Egg Bowl, and all of a sudden, Ole Miss is very, very alive and well for postseason consideration!
Then, Alabama and LSU met in what was essentially a CFP elimination down in Baton Rouge. At night. With a live tiger on site. Sure, the tiger was caged, but still...anyway, Alabama built a cage of their own, and locked the football Tigers in it, winning 42-13. All of a sudden, the Tide is reinvigorated, and feels like they’re as solid a CFP bet as anyone in the SEC. As for LSU, their playoff run comes to an all too familiar end...and it makes one wonder how long the LSU fanbase, boosters, and media will continue to endure the ups and downs of “The Brian Kelly Experience”.
Oh, and Indiana and BYU both edged out their opponents to remain unbeaten, while Notre Dame racked up all sorts of points, both of the real-life scoring and “style points” variety, to crush utterly pointless Florida St. 52-3.
Back to our guys...why this all matters is that Tennessee appears to be in a situation now where winning at Georgia next weekend may be more of a requirement now than a “nice to have” win on their resume. That’s because now, with just a few things happening (namely if Tennessee loses at Georgia, and Texas loses at Texas A&M in a few weeks) there could be as many as 7...SEVEN SEC teams that wrap up their regular season at 10-2 before the Conference Championship game. Tennessee, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, Ole Miss, and Missouri. Now, we can disqualify Missouri, as not one of their regular season wins would be classified as high quality, and their two losses were absolute massacres, but then there’s still 6 teams jockeying for maybe 5, but honestly, more than likely 4 playoff slots, as Indiana’s elite run has just about guaranteed them a playoff spot already, meaning the Big Ten gets 4 playoff bids. 4 for the SEC, 4 for the Big Ten, one each from the ACC and Big 12, one Group of 5, and Notre Dame, provided they beat Virginia, Army, and USC (in fairness, the game with Army’s going to be a war...get it?!?). Sure feels like a four bid scenario to me for the conference we care most about.
And that’s OK...because the Vols are 8-1, and no matter how it’s looked, they just keep winning. All they have to do is stay healthy, and go win in Athens next week
Yeah...about that...
So Nico looks pretty damn strong against MSU...a long TD pass to Squirrel White, followed by another one to Donte Thornton. But then, near the end of the first half, #8 gets hit hard on a QB keeper...and leaves the game. Hell...Nico leaves the field, never to return in the second half. And this was after concerning injuries to Dylan Sampson and James Pearce. WHAT IS HAPPENING?!?! We’re seeing our team’s postseason lives flash right before our eyes. So Dylan and James do return to action, and look no worse for the wear...but WHERE IS NICO? Rumors that he had a broken collarbone...or a concussion...maybe it was SARS...who knows?
Cole Moore/RTI
Turns out that whatever it was, Josh Heupel says Nico’s physical disappearing act was strictly “precautionary”, and that he’s on track to play against Georgia in what sure feels like a playoff qualifier at this point. Crisis averted...so we carry on.
As for the game, I mentioned Nico’s first half was strong, 174 yards passing and those two beautiful TD passes (could’ve had a third...BRU! But I digress...), along with 22 yards rushing. Sampson was his usual workhorse self...30 carries, 149 yards and a touchdown. Thornton showed why he’s WR1 on this team with 104 yards receiving and a 73 yard TD reception (Donte also had a visit to the injury tent, but we believe he’s OK as well). Squirrel was solid as well...3 catches, 63 yards, and that 34 yard TD. But also worth noting: Boo Carter is a DAMN BALLER! Some great plays defensively at the STAR position, including a beautiful interception, but even more noteworthy, Tennessee has found their punt returner! Boo made some very significant returns last night...which reinforces what we’ve been saying: True freshman or not, when you have the kind of talent Boo has (and Mike Matthews too...but alas, I digress again!), turn him loose and reap the benefits! Will there be a mistake here and there? Sure...but the rewards are simply too great to ignore. Let’s go!!!
Put it all together, and sure, the Vols didn’t cover the 24.5 point spread on Saturday, but it most definitely felt like Josh made that choice to take it easy later in the game without your starting QB on the field. I’ll say it again, survive and advance...and now, your most important game of the season awaits. Win that, and you’ll move on your next most important game, right around December 20 or 21. When it’s all said and done...it’s still all right there in front of the Vols...time to go get it!
