This week on
#TheCGP
I’ll talk with
@MikeFPrater
, Boise sports talk host, on the shifting landscape of the Pac-12 and Mountain West. And Bay Area broadcaster and sports anchor/host
@BenRossTweets
on the final week of the A’s in Oakland.
“It’s ok to disagree. Just don’t be disagreeable.”
Lessons on life and leadership through the prism of basketball from UCLA coach John Wooden, delivered by Bill Walton. This is well worth 2:41 of your day. Rest In Peace, Big Fella.
BREAKING:
#OleMiss
HC Lane Kiffin plans to step down as the Rebels coach today and head to London to become the King of England after King Charles abruptly stepped down to take over at Auburn.
So
@Lane_Kiffin
to the British Monarchy is happening. Story soon.
One thing about Tennessee’s performance that stands out: They went out and beat Clemson 31-14 missing their four best players. That speaks volumes about the character of the locker room understanding the need to step up and it shows, in part, what Josh Heupel has created here.
Let’s move forward and reframe the Tennessee narrative to what it should be: In year two of Josh Heupel taking over a football program unable to get anything right for years, the Vols finish No. 6 in the CFB Playoff ranking and going to a NY6 Bowl. Incredible coaching job.
“It’s going to be the Florida environment on steroids. You think you’ve heard loud? You haven’t heard loud until you hear what it’s going to be like when they run through the T on Saturday.”
-
@ReceDavis
, ESPN College GameDay, on the environment in Neyland Stadium Saturday
One crucial decision in last night’s game that hasn’t gotten the attention it deserves: Vols get the ball back on their own 32 after Bama misses a FG, :15 to play. But instead of taking a knee and head to OT, Josh Heupel says “We’ve got Hooker.” 2 plays, 45 yards, FG. Ballgame.
I’ve watched and read a myriad of tributes to Mike Leach. None are any finer than this one from the SEC Network, voiced by
@ESPNMcGee
. Find a few minutes and give it a look.
🎥:
@SECNetwork
Joe Milton is a remarkable young man. In an era of “me, me, me” he so easily could have left. Instead he stayed and became Hendon’s biggest supporter not to mention great friend. If he’s able I expect Hendon on the sideline Saturday giving Joe all the help and support he needs.
Let’s look at this Tennessee team from a slightly different perspective: Someone tells you in August the Vols will go 11-1 and go to the Sugar Bowl, would you take it? Of course you would. That’s still on the table, as is a potential berth in the CFB Playoff.
#GBO
In 2000, ESPN’s College GameDay ran a feature on a young, talented Oklahoma QB named Josh Heupel. Interesting to hear how teammates and coaches described him then. Fast forward to today, not a lot has changed about the kid from Aberdeen, SD.
@Vol_Football
@CollegeGameDay
When you’re trying to make the CFB Playoff, you punch it in there. Josh Heupel understands exactly what’s in play. Period. End of story.
#GBO
Final:
Missouri 24
Tennessee 66
By the numbers:
Josh Heupel is 1-2 vs Alabama, 1-2 vs Florida and 0-2 vs Georgia. 21-4 vs everyone else.
No doubt we all want better results vs the big three. But when you consider what Heupel inherited - the amount of players who hit the portal and the dreadful state of the
“I love Tennessee…. I wish I had played all my college years here cause I love it here, I love Vol Nation, I love my teammates. I love my coaching staff… they come out and support all the way to Nashville… they were at the Georgia game, they’re everywhere…I love Vol Nation.”
Shame on these three, all national-level journalists. We have a policy on my program. It’s simple, it’s basic. Know how to pronounce a player’s/coach’s name before discussing them. Yes, those details matter. Be respectful as a starting point. These three know exactly who Nico
No. 5 LSU: L
No. 8 Clemson: L
No. 9 Oregon: L
No. 10 Vols: 56-0 W
Tennessee should move to at least No. 7 in the CFB Playoff poll and at 10-2 be a lock for an NY6 invite. Who knows which bowl but both the Orange and Sugar should be in play.
Just be consistent:
Kevin Carter on CBS saying Jayden Daniels should be in NYC as a Heisman finalist. Friday he dismissed Hendon Hooker. Kevin’s criteria was Hooker getting pounded by Georgia. Ok. But using Kevin’s logic does he understand who dismantled Daniels and LSU, at LSU?
“They’ll be home flipping burgers, having a cold drink watching championship weekend wondering where they’ll be playing (in the CFP). And you forget you gotta go play.”
- Dabo Swinney
Saturday was an ugly win for the Vols. That said…
I just read all of Josh Heupel’s postgame comments. What I appreciate most about him: He always thanks the fans and students for their great energy and support. Small thing, sure. But it still matters. His demeanor and
Random Sunday thought…
Been telling friends for over a year I’ve had the opportunity to see GCU’s (Grand Canyon University) women’s basketball team play multiple times now. Keep an eye on head coach Molly Miller. As of today (Feb. 25) she is 264-49. Some will argue lack of
I realize we only get Dalton Knecht for one year but it’s fair to say he is absolutely in the conversation for being one of the best clutch players, game-changers and finishers who has ever worn the orange and white — any sport, men’s and women’s.
📺: ESPN2
.
@ESPNMcGee
Thompson-Boling Arena isn’t thought of as one of the harder places to win for visiting teams but 71-11 over the last five years isn’t too bad. For argument’s sake, TBA next to a couple of great home courts:
Kansas 75-7 .914
Tennessee 71-11 .865
Kentucky 74-13 .850
Kim Caldwell is a classic Danny White hire. He wants big winners who are tireless workers, can recruit and are immersed throughout the university family.
Hiring Kim reminds me of one name: Kalen DeBoer. He got here to Fresno State without a single year as a D1 head coach. Four
Still bothered by the Matt Corral fumble/non-fumble call. The official, who was directly next to Corral, didn’t blow the play dead. He stopped on his own volition and then got stripped.
I’d welcome
@GregSankey
weighing in. I’d also welcome a
@AD_DannyWhite
call to Mr. Sankey.
More than Tennessee being No. 1 in this first poll, what’s most remarkable is where this entire football program was at 21 months ago. Just a stunning job by Josh Heupel, his staff, every player in that locker room and a fan base that never lost faith or its passion.
Anything’s possible…
KNOXVILLE, Tenn (AP) — Tennessee dropped to 12th in the new CFP poll. CFP Chair Boo Corrigan explained “We learned Tennessee’s Director of Sports Nutrition Ethan Bauer is taking a leave of absence. This may hinder team performance. It was a factor for us.”
Tennessee loses but what an effort by the Vols in Tuscaloosa. Down 31-24 early 4th, Alabama’s talent finally took over. Still… you watch this team week-to-week you can say with certainty the program is on the way back. Players will come. Bank on it. Josh Heupel was a great hire.
When you fly 2300 miles across the country to see a college football game, it’s absolutely fantastic when your team - Tennessee - wins.
#CrossCountryForWhat
Pre-Josh Heupel you and I both know this game is 14-10 at halftime. Instead…
Halftime
Kent State 0
Tennessee 65
Total yards
Kent State 23
Tennessee 541
Analysis: The Vols took care of business exactly as they should have.
I see this and simply say thank you,
@AD_DannyWhite
. He came in and assembled a strong staff, solicited input from coaches, players and fans on what needed to be addressed, created an aggressive but viable plan and meticulously began executing it. That’s what a top shelf AD does.
I continue to read some bemoaning the Vols physicality. What I don’t see is equal attention given to making 9 threes, out-rebounding Duke, committing just 9 turnovers, getting 8 steals, 5 blocks and playing with the kind of start-to-finish urgency and focus you need to advance.
Ernie Johnson
@TurnerSportsEJ
, wow. When he monologues, he consistently offers a healthy dose of perspective layered with passion, nuance and heart. He’s top tier in broadcasting, yet forever still that kid from Milwaukee.
#TheMatch
🎥:
@CTSportsRadio
Steve Sarkisian is 14-12 in his third year as head coach of Texas (60-47 overall). Josh Heupel is 19-8 at Tennessee in that same timeframe (47-16 overall). It’s interesting how the national media covers both coaches. One gets endless attention, the other does his job largely in
I've been a Tennessee fan my entire life. This is the first time I can legitimately say there isn't another coach in America I would want on the Vols sideline than Josh Heupel.
“Everybody remembers what you do in November. The only ranking that matters is the last one.” — Josh Heupel channeling Johnny Majors while discussing the CFP rankings
Saturday is Tennessee-Florida. I've explained to everyone in my house the basic ground rule: The CG No Fly Zone is in effect. Do not approach the TV room at any time unless the house is on fire. If you can handle the situation yourself, please do so. Snacks, dinner, beverages...
2nd half yards:
Tennessee 266
Florida 68
Vols outscored Florida 9-3.
As awful as they looked in the 1st half, the opportunity to actually win the game was there. There were bad play calls, lack of execution on key downs and questionable penalties. But the chances were there.
Final:
Tennessee 89
Michigan State 88
Don’t tell me an exhibition game doesn’t matter. Breslin Center sold out and rocking like it was February. This is a really nice win for the Vols. No ZZ, no Santi; anytime you can go into East Lansing and come away with a W is a good day. So
When
@colecubelic
says Neyland Stadium is the loudest in the SEC, he would know because he’s been in every house. Like I said guesting on a couple of radio programs this week: When you’ve been at field level in Neyland, you understand the noise is just different.
I’m purely speculating here that the Vols football family, from players to coaches, are beyond angry at the Heisman snub of Hendon Hooker. There’s one way to channel those feelings:
8:00 pm, December 30th
Hard Rock Stadium
This is fantastic analysis from
@Joey_Galloway
. Anyone (or any coach) who believes Tennessee doesn’t change up formations, or offer subtle variations within those formations, is getting set up for a loss.
#GBO
Jauan Jennings. Epitome of hard work. 7th round. Waived. Practice squad. Now, a two-year $15.4M contract extension. Congrats to the former
#Vols
WR. Earned.
@rockytopology
@JxhnDunn
No. 1 offense in the nation. No. 2 passing yards/game in the nation. If you’re a four-star or five-star WR, Tennessee should be on that recruit’s list. Why wouldn’t you want to play in this offense.
@VolRumorMill
@GregMcElroy
I listened to that segment and I’m trying to figure out the “antics.” 2022, fair. This year, no. And the suggestion that somebody needs to sit down and have a talk with Tony… the only person who needs to have a talk with Tony is Danny White hammering out a contract extension.
I’m not surprised ESPN had Nick Saban on making the case for his team. What would have been appropriate: giving a few minutes to Josh Heupel as well. With all the debate on the two teams’ rankings, head to head result, common opponents, etc. his take would have been good to hear.
As I board my flight in Fresno with my daughter, 2300 miles from Knoxville, a guy in his seat sees my jacket and says “What the hell happened to us man! I’m still not over it.” Turns out he’s a UT alum. His final destination: Knoxville.
#GBO
If Mr. Matthews goes with Tennessee, considering the trajectory this program is on and the kind of recruits Josh Heupel already has brought in, this may arguably be the one that sends the strongest message. The future Nico-MM connection on paper is a show-stopper.
5-star WR Mike Matthews is set to announce his commitment tonight LIVE on On3's YouTube channel‼️
Will he choose Clemson, Georgia, Tennessee or USC?🤔
SUBSCRIBE:
Final
Creighton 75
Tennessee 82
The Vols had a second half unlike any we’ve seen in just about any NCAA tournament appearance. Suffocating defense, an incredible 18-0 run, losing much of the resulting 16-point lead but recovering, showing poise and landing in the Elite Eight!
I’m not a Heisman voter but here are five I believe can get to New York City as of today. Their stats, the defenses they’re facing, performance in big games, etc. all factor in.
1. Hendon Hooker
2. CJ Stroud
3. Drake Maye
4. Blake Corum
5. Caleb Williams
Tennessee has always been a major brand nationally for both ratings and merchandise sales. That’s a fact based on numbers, not opinion. Love us or hate us, we move the needle.
Friday's
@OrangeBowl
between
@Vol_Football
&
@ClemsonFB
𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙙 on ESPN & ESPNU
🏈 8.6M viewers
🏈 Most-watched non-semi Orange Bowl since 2017
🏈 Best standalone NY6 game since 2017
🏈 Up double digits over 2019, 2020 and 2021
The most disappointing part of this game for me is the Vols have been non-competitive for nearly all of it. Lethargic and lost. Coaches, players, anyone and everyone in orange. At no point did it ever seem they were capable of doing anything to turn this thing around.
This whole room just looked at me like I was nuts because I let out a huge yell!! YES!!! Down goes Bama… AGAIN !!!
FINAL:
Tennessee 81
Alabama 74
I said on both Knoxville and Nashville radio this week that I had concerns about this game. I am damn glad I was wrong!! This
This was a heck of a great season and tournament ride for the Vols. Dalton Knecht was amazing. What a thrill it was watching him all season long. Without DK, we don’t get out of the first weekend. A special player who won’t ever be forgotten.
I’m not going to get started on
Absolutely nothing gets by Josh Heupel. But what I appreciate most about him is he’ll say what he feels. He defends the program, the fans and Neyland.
#GBO
Great news on Mr. Staes.
I spoke with a recruiting analyst two nights ago and he told me (paraphrasing) “the better approach is taking your time, zeroing in on your needs and keeping your cards close to the vest.” Not having seen or heard anything from UT and Josh Heupel to
BREAKING: Former Notre Dame TE Holden Staes has Committed to Tennessee, he tells
@on3sports
The 6’4 240 TE chose the Vols over Georgia, Washington, & others
One of the Top TEs in the Portal 👀🍊
Dalton Knecht is the guy we always see playing on teams like Duke, Kansas, Arizona, etc. So much credit to Rick Barnes and his staff for identifying him, realizing what he could do and how he would fit on this Vols team, and then closing the deal to bring him to Knoxville.
Final:
(5) Tennessee 103
(10) Kentucky 92
Tremendous game by the Vols. Poise, focus, intensity and physicality from the opening tap. Took every UK punch and punched back harder. Shot great, made the extra pass in the half court, strong on the boards… four guys in double
Here’s five stadiums that rise above all others for deafening noise when fans get rolling. There’s easily five or six more that are tremendous but these are my tops. In no particular order:
- Neyland Stadium
- Death Valley (LSU)
- Autzen Stadium
- The Swamp
- Husky Stadium
- Jimbo Fisher fired. A&M (6-4) signed him to a massive deal. He doesn’t make it out of season 6.
- Boise State (5-5) fires head coach Andy Avalos. He doesn’t make it out of season 3.
- No. 15 Oklahoma State crushed by unranked UCF.
- USC, once talked about as a potential
Let’s not forget…
With all the never-gets-old talk about that wild Third Saturday in October, a highlight for me remains flying in from California and seeing the Vols take down Florida. Sometimes it gets lost in the 2022 shuffle but it remains a huge boost to the era of Heupel!
@ReceDavis
Wonderful story. It’s gems like that that define people. It’s like the one time I met him on the boardwalk in Ocean City (NJ) and we spoke for nearly 15 minutes on UCLA, the NBA and…… Whales. He segued into whales from, of course, salt water taffy. He truly was one of a kind.
Culture starts at the top, for better or for worse. With Tony V, it’s as good as it gets. Ask anyone around the program how much they love playing for the man.
Tony Vitello just gave one of the fiercest postgame press conference openings I’ve ever seen.
He was clearly upset with a question from yesterday asking if they lost tonight, would this season be seen as a success.
There was A LOT more involved with this.
So much negativity towards this Vols team from some Vols fans after a 45-14 win. Right, they’re far from perfect, they absolutely have stuff to work on and I would submit there are a few position coaches on the staff that should be on the hot seat when the season’s over. Like I
One more reason to appreciate Josh Heupel though none of what he said today was a surprise. His job is to protect his players and the program. He doesn’t owe a full accounting to anyone except Danny White, Donde Plowman and a player’s family.
BREAKING:
#Vols
have beaten Alabama again, this time for Top247 LB and in-state standout Arion Carter.
He breaks down his decision to
@GoVols247
: “Ultimately, I felt more at home with Tennessee.”
➡️ via
@RyanCallahan247
One guy who deserves a ton of credit: Tony Vitello. We often question a coach’s decisions. That’s what we do. But leaving Burns in as long as he did, that’s a guy knowing exactly what his pitcher had left physically and mentally. Burns was Superman tonight.
@Vol_Baseball
“If Tennessee truly believes this series isn't over, this series isn't over. These Vols are good enough to make everyone forget Saturday. They just can't make the same mistakes they made Saturday, or they'll never forget the national title they gave away.”
- Wes Rucker
🎯
Purdue coach Matt Painter on Tennessee: You know what you're getting. It's tackle football. You've got to buckle up. If you do, you can win. It doesn't mean you will win, but you can win. If you don't do that, you can't win.
A thought on Jalin Hyatt. He’s got two clear options: stay at Tennessee and make a lot of NIL money or go to the NFL and make a lot of money. As he and his family break it all down I hope he remembers one thing: The only right choice is the one *he wants and the one *he makes.