The opponent, atmosphere and attention surrounding Tennessee will be different this week.
The Vols do not want their preparation to be.
Tennessee will open SEC play against Texas on Saturday at Neyland Stadium, where the Vols will bring back Checker Neyland for the matchup.
The significance of the game has not been lost on Tennessee’s players.
“Being at home playing the number one team, it’s exciting,” defensive back T.J. Metcalf said. “They got to come in here and meet us at our home turf.”
Wide receiver Braylon Staley is looking forward to another opportunity to play a high-profile game inside Neyland Stadium.
“This is what we get to do,” Staley said. “Number one team coming in, it’s a lot of talk already, but we don’t pay attention to it. We got to come in with our head down and ready to work.”
That has been the consistent message inside Tennessee’s program this week.
Coach Josh Heupel acknowledged there is more attention surrounding the matchup, but he does not want that to alter how Tennessee approaches the days leading up to it.
“At the end of the day, it’s getting into conference play,” Heupel said. “You got to understand the quality of the opponent you’re getting ready to play Saturday. It’ll be electric at the stadium, but it comes down to winning each day.”
The approach has carried over to Tennessee’s position rooms.
Staley said preparation for the wide receivers has not changed as the Vols move from nonconference play into their SEC schedule.
“Doesn’t look different at all,” Staley said. “Same stuff that we’ve been doing for the past three games is the thing we’re going to do for this game. So, nothing different.”
Offensive lineman Jesse Perry had a similar response when asked what needed to change with conference play beginning.
“I don’t think anything really has to change,” Perry said. “I think we just have to be better in our preparation.”
Perry said that means being more detailed with film study and fundamentals throughout the week.
“It’s just the ordinary stuff,” Perry said. “We just got to be really good at it.”
The same applies to freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who will make his first SEC start Saturday.
Staley said there is little he needs to tell Brandon about handling the significance of the matchup.
“Just another football game,” Staley said. “This is why he came to Tennessee, just to play teams like this. We play the best of the best.”
Heupel’s message to his freshman quarterback, Faizon Brandon, has centered on the work leading into Saturday.
“Prepare in a great way, invest, practice in a great way,” Heupel said. “Preparation gives you a chance to go play the way that you want to.”
Perry said the offensive line is “really excited” about the opportunity and expects a packed stadium.
“You got all the fans coming to town,” Perry said. “I’m sure it’ll be packed out. It’s going to be a great environment, but we just get to go play football.”
Metcalf has played two games inside Neyland since joining Tennessee and is expecting something different Saturday with the stadium checkered for Texas.
“Two games down in Neyland, great energy, it’s a great atmosphere,” Metcalf said. “I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like Saturday. I know it’s going to be a very fun environment.”
Heupel expects Tennessee’s fans to play their part.
“Our fans always show up in a great way,” Heupel said. “We’re talking conference play. Expect them to be at their best Saturday, 12 o’clock when the ball is teed up.”
