Your Team Can Win a National Championship: Tennessee Edition

In beautiful Knoxville, TN along the Tennessee river and just a hop away from the Smokey Mountains, there is a school and fanbase that has been waiting, impatiently, for their football program to return to greatness. The first taste their fans had was 3 years ago, on the third Saturday of October, when they beat one of their rivals to break a 15 game drought. Unfortunately, the season ended in disappointment when their quarterback suffered an injury, and they finished 10-2. Now, thanks to the expanded playoffs and another 10-2 season, this program has their first taste of meaningful post season football in over 15 years. The Tennessee Volunteers have been a sleeping giant in the SEC, and with the addition of NIL and the transfer portal, the hire of Josh Heupel, and the non renewal of Alabama and Saban’s Ownership over them, they are alive and well. As a southern native and someone who suffers from having Tennessee fans in their family, it pains me to say, but Tennessee is back and they are scary.

Tennessee can win a national title because they are an elite program that’s been waiting for the metaphorical dam to break. Tennessee is a program that out of all Power-4 teams, ranks top-10 in National championships, Bowl wins, Bowl appearances, total wins, and win percentage. At times they have seemed incompetent, or cosplayed as a second-rate program, but in reality, they are a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Their NIL, facilities, location, conference prestige, and history are as good as any other’s program, all they needed was some competence at the helm of their program. Unfortunately, that seemed impossible for Tennessee Fans, with failed hires of Jeremy Pruitt, Butch Jones, Derek Dooley, Lane Kiffin, and Greg Schiano (kinda… don’t ask a Tennessee fan about Schiano Sunday unless you have your whole day blocked off). Now things have changed in Knoxville, they hired a promising head coach Josh Heupel, who now has his highly rated QB that’s supported by a star studded roster. It now seems as if the flood gates have been opened, and the entire country will be infiltrated by pumpkin guts orange.

Tennessee can win a national title because their defense is terrifying. Tennessee’s defense finished the regular season top-5 in yards per game, and points per game, which solidified their program as a top-10 team this year. This might be the surprise of the year from an outsider’s prospective, due to the media recognition that Tennessee’s Offense has received in years past, but their defense doesn’t lack star power and have shown few, if any weaknesses. The unit is led by future 1st-round pick James Pearce Jr., who wreaks havoc along the front regardless if it’s in the run or pass game. Then their secondary is anchored by Jermod McCoy, a true, physical, lock down corner who can erase any team’s number 1 receiver. In a year where Tennessee’s offense has had its ups and downs, their defense has been consistently great, emerging as the true strength of their team.

Tennessee can win a national title because Nico Iamaleava and the offense are one play away from breaking it open. Nico Iamaleava was deemed the savior of Tennessee football, coming in as a 5 star recruit, with freaky athleticism, and an arm that can make any throw on the field effortlessly. But Nico, Heupel, and the offense haven’t had their signature game yet (at least against a power 4 opponent). Luckily, the struggles in the passing game have been masked by their defense and Heisman snub running back Dylan Sampson. Sampson is top 10 in rushing yards and touchdowns, and earned All-SEC honors this year, but minus the stats and accolades, he has been the only consistent part of Tennessee’s offense. Good news for Tennessee, Nico didn’t forget how to play football, he didn’t suffer an injury, and he wasn’t overhyped. No, Nico’s only problem is that he is young and inexperienced, and they only way to solve that is playing more games. Nico and the offense can turn into the high-powered unit that we all expected in a blink of the eye. Heupel’s offensive scheme has players running wide open all over the field, but timing, over-throws, and drops have been what’s holding them back. With some extra practice and rest, all these problems could be solved, and Tennessee can heat up and become a very dangerous team.

Tennessee CAN’T win a national title because their offense doesn’t find their groove. Their defense kept them in a lot of games while the other side of the ball was sputtering, but you can’t rely on that against the nation’s best, and that’s exactly who Tennessee will be playing. They open up with Ohio State, who has the highest rated (and paid) roster in all of college football. If they are able to go into Columbus and come out with a win, the path only gets harder. They would match up with the number 1 team in the country the Oregon Ducks, who could be the only elite team in the country. Offensive problems and tough opponents awaiting them will be the reason Tennessee is eliminated, but if the former doesn’t come to fruition, then watch out, Tennessee is live to win the Natty.