In the fifth year of the Josh Heupel era, ESPN identifies the Tennessee Vols’ greatest obstacle to overcome.

As Josh Heupel enters his fifth season as head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers, it is clear that the program has made significant strides under his leadership. From revitalizing a program that was in dire need of stability and direction to achieving notable success on the field, Heupel has shown that his high-tempo offense and recruiting acumen can bring Tennessee back to prominence in college football. Yet, as the Vols head into the 2025 season, ESPN has identified the greatest obstacle that Tennessee must overcome to fully realize its potential: consistency at the highest level, particularly in big games and in conference play.

A Brief History of Heupel’s Impact at Tennessee

When Josh Heupel took the reins of the Tennessee program in 2021, the situation was bleak. The Vols had just endured a tumultuous few years under Jeremy Pruitt, with the program facing NCAA sanctions, player transfers, and an overall sense of instability. Yet Heupel, with his dynamic offense and infectious energy, seemed like the perfect fit to bring Tennessee out of its malaise.

In his first year, Heupel’s Vols showed promise but were still in the early stages of his rebuild. The team finished with a respectable 7-6 record, and the offense, powered by quarterback Hendon Hooker, demonstrated the potential for explosive plays and high-scoring games. By 2022, Tennessee began to show its true capabilities, finishing with an 11-2 record, earning a spot in the College Football Playoff picture, and securing a win over Iowa in the Citrus Bowl.

Heupel’s second year was a statement season. With the emergence of Hendon Hooker as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the country, Tennessee broke through as a legitimate SEC contender. The offense, led by the dynamic wide receiver duo of Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy, and the running back tandem of Jabari Small and Jaylen Wright, became one of the most dangerous in college football. The team finished the season ranked #6 in the nation, narrowly missing the playoff due to losses in key moments.

However, as the Vols were finding success on offense, their biggest challenge was becoming clear: despite Heupel’s potent system, Tennessee still struggled with consistency against elite competition, especially in the SEC.

The Obstacle: Achieving Consistency at the Highest Level

As ESPN points out, Tennessee’s most significant hurdle is the inconsistency they’ve shown in big games, particularly against other elite teams in the SEC. Heupel’s high-powered offense can overwhelm many opponents, but against top-tier defenses and in crucial moments, the Vols have often faltered.

1. Defensive Gaps and the SEC Arms Race

One of the most glaring issues that Tennessee must address is its defense. While the offense has been one of the best in the country under Heupel’s leadership, the defense has struggled to keep pace with the high standards of the SEC. In the most recent seasons, Tennessee’s defense has often been leaky, particularly in critical matchups against teams like Georgia, Alabama, and Kentucky.

In 2024, Tennessee faced a dominant Georgia team that proved to be too much for the Volunteers. Despite putting up a respectable offensive showing, the Vols were unable to slow down Georgia’s juggernaut offense. This issue of defensive inconsistency has been an ongoing challenge for Heupel’s staff. The Vols have been vulnerable to explosive plays and struggled to get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks has shown promise but has yet to prove that his unit can consistently compete with the SEC’s elite offenses.

Moreover, with the SEC continuing to produce some of the best offensive minds and talent in college football, it is becoming more crucial for Tennessee to improve its defense. With teams like Alabama, LSU, and Texas A&M constantly upgrading their rosters, the gap between offensive firepower and defensive efficiency continues to widen. To contend for SEC titles and national championships, Tennessee needs to figure out how to close this gap and build a defense that can stand up to the best.

2. Quarterback Play in Big Moments

While Hendon Hooker’s time in Knoxville has been nothing short of legendary, one of the most pressing questions for Tennessee as Heupel enters year five is how the team will perform without him. Hooker was not only the leader of Tennessee’s offense but also the player who could deliver in clutch moments. His calm demeanor, ability to read defenses, and leadership made him the anchor of the program.

In the aftermath of Hooker’s departure, Tennessee will need to find a new quarterback who can replicate his level of play. The transition from one star quarterback to the next can often be challenging for teams, and in the ultra-competitive SEC, there is little room for growing pains.

Heupel’s offense thrives on quick decisions, fast tempo, and the ability to stretch the field. If the quarterback play is inconsistent, it can lead to mistakes, turnovers, and missed opportunities. Whether it’s Joe Milton, who has shown flashes of potential, or a younger quarterback stepping up, Heupel needs to ensure that the Vols can rely on their signal-caller to perform in the biggest moments.

3. Competing with the SEC Elite

The SEC is the undisputed toughest conference in college football, and Tennessee has historically been overshadowed by some of the conference’s elite teams, particularly Alabama and Georgia. In the past two years, Tennessee has been close but not quite able to break through in these marquee matchups.

Alabama, despite some down years, remains one of the gold standards in college football. Nick Saban’s program continues to recruit at an elite level, and the Crimson Tide are always a force in the SEC. Tennessee’s recent win over Alabama in 2022 was a massive breakthrough, but the Vols will need to continue to build on that success. Alabama is always a threat, and the Vols must be able to compete at the highest level in these rivalry games.

Georgia, meanwhile, is a modern-day powerhouse under Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs have won back-to-back national championships, and their defensive dominance makes them a formidable foe for any team. Tennessee’s inability to keep up with Georgia in the 2024 season underscored the challenge the Vols face in matching up with such a complete team. Heupel’s offense may be able to score against most defenses, but against a team as balanced as Georgia, the Vols need more than just offensive firepower—they need an elite defense to match.

4. Building Depth and Recruiting at the Highest Level

While Heupel has done an excellent job revitalizing the program, recruiting is always the key to long-term success in college football. In order to consistently compete with the top programs in the SEC, Tennessee needs to recruit at the highest level. Heupel has shown that he can identify and develop talent, but to stay at the top of the SEC, Tennessee needs to recruit players who can contribute immediately and elevate the program.

Tennessee’s recruiting efforts have improved under Heupel, but they still trail behind some of the SEC’s heavyweights like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. While the Vols have had success in securing top-tier skill players, they need to focus on building depth in the trenches. Offensive and defensive line play is often the difference-maker in the SEC, and if Tennessee can’t consistently win in the trenches, they’ll continue to fall short in crucial games.

5. Handling Expectations and Pressure

With success comes increased pressure, and Tennessee’s resurgence under Heupel has led to heightened expectations. In the past, the Vols were often overlooked or written off, but now they’re squarely in the spotlight. The pressure to perform in big games—especially against SEC rivals—will be immense.

The weight of expectations can have both positive and negative effects. On one hand, it motivates the players to rise to the occasion, but on the other hand, it can create tension and cause mistakes in high-pressure moments. As Tennessee continues to improve, the ability to manage pressure in big games will be crucial. Heupel’s leadership will be tested in how he manages expectations and ensures his team stays focused on the task at hand.

 The Path Forward

As Josh Heupel enters his fifth season at Tennessee, the program is undeniably on the rise. The Vols have shown they can compete with the best, but the road to an SEC title and national championship is a difficult one. Consistency—particularly in big games and against elite teams—remains the Vols’ greatest obstacle.

To overcome this challenge, Tennessee will need to continue improving in key areas: developing a more consistent defense, ensuring elite quarterback play, competing at the highest level in the SEC, recruiting top-tier talent, and handling the pressure that comes with being a contender. If Heupel can address these obstacles and continue building on the foundation he has established, the Vols may just find themselves back on top of college football in the near future.