Tennessee needed a fourth-quarter surge to beat Kentucky last week. Seven days later, the Volunteers again shook off a slow start, this time overcoming a quarterback injury to defeat Texas A&M on the road and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
The FAA ground stop may have played a part in Tennessee’s sluggish opening. The team reached its hotel shortly before 1 a.m. local time, though coach Josh Heupel may not point to the late arrival as an explanation.
Tennessee’s defense gave the offense time to find its footing, pressuring Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed and limiting him to 71 passing yards. The Aggies managed just one touchdown and 179 yards of total offense.
It’s been a difficult season for Texas A&M, which started the year ranked in the top 10 before dropping out of the AP Top 25. The loss leaves the Aggies at risk of missing a bowl game, and they still have a season-ending matchup against a surging Texas team.
For Tennessee, a loss could have dealt a serious blow to its playoff chances. The game looked increasingly uncertain until starting quarterback George MacIntyre left with an injury midway through the third quarter. After that, the Vols leaned on their running game, finishing with 196 rushing yards and holding the ball for more than 42 minutes.
If Tennessee can keep pairing a tough defense with long, possession-controlling drives, it could be a difficult team to face in December. The Vols play LSU next Saturday, then travel to Nashville to take on rival Vanderbilt.
Win both games, and Tennessee should be in strong position to reach the College Football Playoff. And if this version of the team shows up, it won’t be an easy matchup for anyone.
