Knoxville, Tenn. – Following a 10-win regular season Tennessee’s head coach Josh Heupel helped lead the Volunteers to the College Football Playoffs.
Sunday afternoon it was revealed that Tennessee would be the ninth seed in the inaugural 12-team playoff field.
The Volunteers will travel to take on eighth-seeded Ohio State at 8 p.m. ET in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday, Dec. 21 from Ohio Stadium.
This is what Heupel said following the annoucement.
“Good afternoon everybody. Certainly excited about being in the playoff and, obviously, playing a great program that’s had a ton of success in recent history but throughout their program history (and) certainly what they’ve done on the field this year. Excited that we get an opportunity to play an elite program like that. As we get ready here, understand what it’s going to take to go on the road and play really good football against a great football team.”
How much they’ve been able to get a head start on film study for Ohio State and his first impressions of their defense:
“For us, last week we were able to get on the grass and have a couple of practices being intentional with our young guys. We felt like there were multiple scenarios still that were at play, so today we kind of start the film study of our opponent. Our guys are in the building here getting some treatment and rehab today, but we’ll move forward tomorrow with those guys. The little that I’ve had an opportunity to watch via the season as a Saturday afternoon when you’re watching football or today getting a chance to digest the tape, this is a roster that’s full of elite players and that’s coached extremely well. They’re smart, they’re tough, they’re physical on both sides of the line of scrimmage and do a great job on special teams too. So for us, understand the quality of opponent we’re getting ready to play. We’re going to have to play at our best and need a couple of great weeks of preparation to give ourselves a chance to do that in Columbus.”
Preparing to play in extremely cold weather:
“Yeah, not sure what the temperature will be up there at night. Know it won’t be sunny and 85. We played in 30-dergee weather a week ago. For us, a lot of our practices are in the morning, we’re outside (and) it’ll be similar temperatures to what you’re going to get up there. Our guys have got to be able to handle anything that comes at them, whether it’s outside distractions, it’s us getting ready to go be our best, 11-on-11 between the white lines and we’ll be ready to handle that and operate at a high level.”
The team not putting too much pressure on itself going into the playoffs:
“We play in a great conference and play elite programs throughout the course of the season. Understanding again this is a great opportunity and when you get into the postseason you are playing in a game like this you got to do the ordinary things at a really high level. You got to do them consistently for four quarters. It’s not about some magical play that is going to be the difference in the football game. It’s about the fundamentals, technique and eye discipline. Playing within the structure of what you’re doing in any three phases of the game that takes you to the ability to go make plays. It’s all about the preparation and lead-up. Those are the same messages that our guys hear throughout the season. It’s been what this group has done. They’ve earned the right to play in a game like this. Now it’s about our preparation and making sure we’re at our best when we get there.”
Any change in mindset going into the playoffs:
“It is business as usual as far as you got to be completely invested in your preparation. That’s on the practice field, that’s in the meeting room. You’ve got to take care of your body at an elite level to make sure that you’re at you’re best personally when we get to kickoff. It is a different season, you’ve got to play yourself into this and now it’s about taking advantage of the opportunity that we have. The only thing that matters is Saturday night inside the stadium in Columbus, Ohio. For us, we’ve played in big games. We’ve got to be ready to go handle everything that we’re going to face on that night but it’s your preparation that takes you to that moment. Being completely invested in what matters in the present is the most important thing day to day.
On his early thoughts on Ohio State quarterback Will Howard:
“We’ll get into the tape today but looking at them offensively, they got explosive playmakers out on the perimeter. Big, strong, thick, physical offensive linemen. Great skill at the running back position. Again, in a game like this I think the line of scrimmage matters. You got to do a great job against the run. We’re going to have to defend their explosive playmakers out on the perimeter. We got to do a great job of bottling the quarterback up.”
What it means to make the playoffs for the first time:
“For us, it is the next step for our program. This is something our players have worked towards since last January. Again, you earn the right to be in a game like this. Proud of what we’ve done throughout the course of the regular season. The new season starts here. There was an expectation inside of our program to earn the right to play in a game like this in the postseason. So, a lot of excitement in here but also understand we’re getting ready to go play a great team and we’ve got to be at our best.”
Practicing outside to prepare for potential cold weather matchup:
“I feel like during the course of the lead up to kickoff, we’ll be outside as much as we possibly can. Typically, the temperatures at some point during this preparation will mirror what we think we’ll have on Saturday night up there. We typically get outside unless something is not right with the grass fields here, as far as wet, damp, frost, whatever it might be.”
Players entering the transfer portal before the playoffs begin:
“To me, individuals are going to make the decision that they feel is right for them, their family, whatever it might be. I just know that as a competitor, doing this a long time, as a coach but also in my playing experience, I can’t imagine not wanting to participate in what I think is one of the most unique opportunities, in your playing career but also in your life. You’ve poured a lot of work into it, and this is a unique opportunity.”
The benefit of playing or not playing during conference championship weekend:
“For us inside this program, playing (the SEC Championship) in Atlanta is one of the first goals that we have as a program. Disappointed that we weren’t able to be there. But for us last week, we were able to get some good work, in particular for our young guys. Our veterans got some work too. Some of those guys, just through the duration of the season, trying to get those guys healthy as we started preparation this week.”
What stands out to him about Ohio State head coach Ryan Day:
“I have not had an opportunity to cross paths with him very much. Great respect for what he’s done in his coaching career, what he’s done there at Ohio State and the success that they’ve had year-in and year-out. Great appreciation for how he’s done it and what he’s been able to accomplish there.”
