Tennessee football’s 26-10 victory over Alabama elicited high praise from my literary contributors, some of whom were highly critical a week earlier when the Vols beat Arkansas by only seven points.
I appreciate their ability to change opinions based on results. I try to do the same.
Jack writes: I hereby promise to refrain from future criticism of coach Josh Heupel. To go from those wide splits and up-tempo offenses of 2022 to the patient, pound the rock, aggressive defense mentality against Alabama shows adaptability that a lot of coaches never learn.
Heupel and Knowles could lead us back to the Promised Land.
My response: The best coaches aren’t married to a system. They adapt and adjust.
Alabama coach Bear Bryant stressed defense but also won
with offense. And he won with a pro-style offense as well as the option-oriented wishbone.
Florida’s Steve Spurrier was famous for offense. But he fielded some of the SEC’s most talented defenses.
Alabama’s Nick Saban was renowned for defense. However, his 2020 national championship team featured one of the most dynamic offenses in SEC history.
Heupel almost made a four-team playoff in 2022 with the highest scoring team in the country. He made the 12-team playoff in 2024 thanks mainly to a strong defense.
Tony writes: I read with interest your article "Why Tennessee football could be the best in the SEC." You fooled me. I never suspected you were such an optimist.
I have been an avid and long-suffering Tennessee Vols football fan for 50 years, and nothing would make me happier than for the Vols to dethrone the perennial Georgia/Alabama powerhouses (with an occasional LSU thrown in) perched atop the SEC throne for the last two decades.
However, calling the Vols "the best team in the SEC" is a bridge too far even for me.
So, while I am encouraged by the Vols’ record this season, I believe they are still a flawed team that has some serious weaknesses to overcome, and certainly not the best squad in the SEC.
My response: I’m not an optimist. I am a realist.
Of course, the Vols are flawed. But so is every other team in the SEC.
As I have pointed out, Tennessee’s defense keeps it in every game. And with UT’s running game, that could be enough to carry the Vols to the top of the conference.
That doesn’t mean success is assured. They still could lose three more games.
Kevin writes: Always appreciate your literary contributions.
Tennessee’s defense dominated Alabama, and the offensive line played phenomenally. But my focus is on quarterback George MacIntyre.
I feel that if Heupel had started George from the beginning, we’d be undefeated, and the Texas game would have been a large win. What do you think?
My response: That’s possible. Unfortunately, one of my many weaknesses as a columnist is that I can’t recreate games that have been played.
However, I do believe the Vols would have lost to Auburn if Heupel hadn’t replaced Faizon Brandon with MacIntyre.
Doug writes: It seems like it may be time to start recognizing what at least seems to be an improvement in the overall strength and conditioning of Tennessee’s team.
The Vols seemed to be stronger and in better shape than Alabama as evidenced by their fourth-quarter domination. Derek Owings deserves some credit for that improvement and should be praised for his contribution.
My response: Heupel praised Owings even before the season started. He pointed out that the Vols had become bigger, faster and stronger in the offseason and credited Owings for the improvement.
Robert writes: A few weeks ago, I wrote to you and suggested that Faizon Brandon reminded me of Tee Martin in 1998. He leaned on his defense and running backs while learning to play quarterback as the season progressed.
Well, George MacIntyre is reminding me of quarterback Daryl Dickey’s play after Tony Robinson got hurt in 1985. Dickey made enough plays to keep them winning while leaning on defense and a strong running game.
But both Robinson and Dickey were more experienced than Tennessee’s current quarterbacks.
My response: I thought the same thing about Brandon after he led the Vols to three consecutive victories over weak nonconference opponents.
I was a columnist in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1985 but covered the Vols in their postseason runaway victory over Miami in the Sugar Bowl.
And you’re right. Tennessee won mainly with defense and an effective running game. But Dickey provided a steady hand at quarterback in helping lead coach Johnny Majors’ team to a 9-1-2 record and a No. 4 national ranking.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Readers lavish praise on Tennessee football; one rejects my 'optimism' | Adams
