ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit has called two of Tennessee’s first four games, giving the College GameDay host and broadcaster an excellent look into Josh Heupel’s 2024 Volunteers.
While Herbstreit has praised Tennessee on several occasions whether it be during a game or College GameDay, the famed broadcaster offered sound advice for Heupel’s group despite the 4-0 start to the season and a Top 5 ranking – one that Lane Kiffin and Nick Saban would likely agree with, too.
“Don’t listen to the compliments,” Herbstreit said on X. “Keep your edge!”
Herbstreit’s advice to Tennessee closed out a substantial tweet praising the Vols’ “edge” through the first four games. The Vols have been relentless on defense, especially, ranking as the top defensive unit at this point in the season across all college football.
“If [Tennessee Football] can keep their ‘edge’ and can stay healthy they are very real,” Herbstreit posted on Sunday. “I’ve called 2 of their games this year – really like this teams potential. Hope they keep playing angry with something to prove. Don’t listen to the compliments – keep your edge!”
If @Vol_Football keep their “edge” and can stay healthy they are very real! I’ve called 2 of their games this year-really like this teams potential. Hope they keep playing angry with something to prove. Don’t listen to the compliments-keep your edge!
— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) September 22, 2024
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Tennessee’s ‘edge’ this year starts and ends with the Vols’ elite defense. And that’s not saying elite as just any descriptive word but a specific descriptive word. It’s an elite defense.
Prior to Oklahoma’s two fourth-quarter touchdowns on Saturday night, Tennessee’s defense had gone 19 straight quarters dating back to the Iowa game without allowing an opposing offense into the endzone. Tennessee’s defense will hit you hard, they’ll hit you with multiple players, and they’ll drive you into the ground… looking at you on that last one, Keenan Pili.
Tennessee’s defense currently ranks as one of the nation’s top defensive units in several categories:
Tennessee rank in FBS🍊
OFFENSE
No. 2 scoring
No. 4 total
No. 6 rush
No. 9 1st down
No. 15 pass effDEFENSE
No. 1 total
No. 1 1st down
No. 2 rush def
No. 2 3rd down
No. 4 fum rec
No. 5 scoring
No. 8 red zone
No. 11 pass defSPECIAL TMS
No. 1 kick return coverage
No. 4 FGs made— Adam Sparks (@AdamSparks) September 22, 2024
And let’s dispel one interesting narrative from some in the first four weeks: Tennessee played Chattanooga and Kent State and beat them 140-3 combined. While those are two teams who are clearly beneath Tennessee’s level… Tennessee absolutely destroyed both of them. That’s not a given in today’s game either. Heck, if they wanted to, Tennessee could’ve scored 100+ points on either with ease. Tennessee called off the dogs against Kent State and still scored two straight touchdowns with their backup quarterback before halftime.
NC State was absolutely hammered by Clemson on Saturday afternoon. Does that devalue Grayson McCall healthy for that game. NC State is spiraling, yes, but they’ve been behind the eight-ball since getting pummeled by the Vols. Tennessee has continued to evolve and show new looks since then, too.
And Oklahoma is Oklahoma. Say what you will about how Tennessee won or how Oklahoma lost, but it was a Top 15 SEC game at night against an unfamiliar opponent. That’s an impressive win no matter how you slice the pie.
Tennessee’s ‘edge’ will carry them through the season as the Vols continue their SEC slate. But as Herbstreit warns, don’t lose it. It’s key to what Josh Heupel is doing with his team.
Tennessee has an open date this weekend and then will return to conference play at Arkansas on Oct. 5.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football coverage.
