REACTION MONDAY: Tennessee rides defense to 25-15 win over Oklahoma in Josh Heupel’s Homecoming

[@IIISWILIII]

It was something we haven't witnessed Tennessee due since 2006. How could it not be beautiful?

[@robertwomack1411]

This was definitely a win that reminded you of old school Tennessee football back when we were really good

[@NJxTN]

*do, not due

[@IIISWILIII]

@@NJxTN voice to text. Blame Google

[@HG-pj2ik]

That pass to Thorton was a thing of beauty.

[@vincentbrown3995]

The one they called back on the phantom holding call was nice too

[@HG-pj2ik]

@vincentbrown3995 some how kirk and Brad Fowler seen it. But my wife and I didn't when they replayed it. Terrible call.

[@vincentbrown3995]

@@HG-pj2ik yea and they said it was another hold. I dont know what they were looking at

[@chrisshelton8508]

The one right before was probably more impressive and GOgeous!!

[@davidjohns4223]

The video from the locker room was priceless. That said volumes about the culture on this team. GBO!!!

[@IIISWILIII]

Probably the single best recruiting content for the volunteers we will ever see. Build it and they will come

[@StevenJessee]

Love bishop he's a beast

[@WillMurley]

After going up 19-3 there was never a doubt who’s winning this game. Even when they cut it 22-9 you just knew there was no way we were going to lose. Good teams find a way to win, great teams win in unconventional ways or in ways they don’t typically win. We did that. My opinion we dominated. It was not as close as the scoreboard says.

[@suzannekeith7304]

What about the abysmal field conditions? I think that had something to do with conservative game calls.

[@VFLoganB]

Good point that needs to be addressed, seriously by the SEC aa well all kinds of guys slipping and getting hurt.

[@LockedOnVols]

maybe so!

[@loganclevenger8002]

​@LockedOnVols did oklahoma not charge a timeout to avoid runoff then take 3 timeouts at the end of the game

[@timgilley2488]

Great Win! Neyland would be proud! A tough Road Win! Great job men & Coaching! GBO🧡

[@robertwomack1411]

This was how Coach Fulmer won a ton of games when we were great in the 90s Looked just like those games in the 90s

[@dustinyoung7720]

Agree with the coaching grade. A W on the road in the SEC, Blueblood program, hostile environment with the storyline, the maturity of the team to handle the adversity and protecting our players in adverse field conditions. The football family in that locker room was something special and that will be clipped and used for many years to come.

[@MrAndywalk]

Beautifully coached game considering all variables. Huepel is smarter than any fan. Team stands behind coach, so should the fans.

[@kidzbop38isstraightfire92]

Fans are morons. They were also predicting 5+ TD wins, which just sets yourself up for failure. These ppl thinking we're gonna roll every team are dumb.

[@BigBagel]

I appreciate you defending the coaching decisions, I've seen a lot of backlash that I think is a little unnecessary. I think one element you may have missed (no idea if it was actually thought about or not though from the coaching staff) is that they may have just wanted to really test out that run game too. We faced off against a great defense, and they may have wanted to see if we could break down their defensive line eventually. Or just to tell the players "hey, we've got a great run game, but there's still a lot of work to do if we want to compete against the best" to give them a little wakeup call and motivation going into this bye week. We got the job done against a great defense on the road in the best league in the game. That's not a small feat. I love what I'm seeing, and I can't wait for the rest of the season.

[@robertwomack1411]

Any Tennessee fan who complains about this win is a dumbass

[@GritsandGraceSF]

Loved this game. Reminded me of the defensive program we used to be. I am so glad Hype can coach this way and the players are exceptional for being able to execute outside the norm. This is the play we need to beat the Georgia's of the world. With Lance hurt and Campbell going down, this was the best course of action to protect Nico from those blindside hits and avoid more turnovers that could have went in Oklahomas' favor.

[@tulsavol6653]

Exactly. Nico did a very good job managing the offense! Oklahoma is one of the better offenses in the SEC (as is Tennessee). We played on the road against a team that did all it could to keep the game low scoring and with the aime to go after our offensive line , QB, and running back. Our game plan was to overcome their strong defensive schemes by establishing a workable lead playing to our strengths for a "W". While I agree coaching to secure the victory in this way can be unsatisfying at times but the Vols had established the lead differential to be comfortable in this score differntial strategy. Just remember that OU defence had high forced turn-overs on its opponents going into this game so the Vols hammering the run game the second half was critical. The polls recognized the smart hard ball character of the win. GBO🏈🍊

[@jjlambonscloudyproductions]

Coach H finally has depth on both sides of the ball for the first time since he has been here. The signs have been there that he wants to play the game given the situation in game since he has been here.

[@Hunter_Damron25]

Jacoby Thomas, ohh my lord.. is that dude a dog or what?! Guy is playing with a chip on his shoulder! Love to see that fire!

[@Darrell60]

You called it.We are very lucky to have coach Hype he is the man

[@JFord1234]

Getting a dub isn't always pretty (ie. Georgia Kentucky) but you have to be able to win the ugly games also.. So all the fans that are butt sore cause it wasnt a blow out need to chill and be grateful we are 4 and 0...Proud of the team and coaches for going in to enemy territory and kicking a#$ and taking names 🍊🔥

[@TechWaltMD]

I agree with the decision to run the ball and lean on the defense. We were struggling in pass protection, and they couldn't move the ball.

[@TheTJHayes]

Everyone looking to put 50 points on every opponents head, It's just not going to happen, especially on the road against a ranked opponent... We played conservatively to keep turnovers down and close out the game for a solid W. I believe it was good ball all around for Tennessee. Yes mistakes were made and defense made up for them

[@rncgsu]

Funny I didn't hear that when Milton was QB. When the kicker outscores the QB is embarrassing.

[@gwhite7136]

I thought it was great strategy. I mean we are still talking about a Redshirt Freshman's first true road game in the SEC, national exposure against a top 4 SEC defense, ranked team with an empeccable record at home. Not even Texas has won there in a very very long time. He chose not to put he ball in harms way on a very wet or slick field. Wish you would had said more about the condition of the field. This was odd, strange and I think a bit of gamesmanship by OU. It's like the wet if for days leading up to this game. It was a Chess-smart win I thought.

[@scottbennett6200]

Loved seeing you on the sooner shows this week.. EVERY DAMN DAY!!!! GBO!!

[@nealboswell8786]

One of the best Vol wins EVER. Won, and physically beat Oklahoma up. Like watching a Mike Tyson fight against a tough, gritty opponent. Coach Josh is General Neyland on steroids, and did it without our two tackles. The defense was old school Tennessee. Nicco, clearly is talented , but clearly has a lot to win. The kicking game was superb. Coach is playing THE LONG GAME...It is going to be a LOOOOONG season, with two more games on the schedule. We are already two tackles down. So we have to look at what's ahead; Arkansas, Alabama, Georgia, and Beetle Baum. (Vandy). Game Balls; Jason Jenkins safety, Dylan Sampson (jawbone of an ass)d, Peeli best pursuit, Boo Carter, best slobber knocker, ... Heck; THE WHOLE DEFENSE!! Generally agree with your GAME BALL Choices.

[@robertwomack1411]

It was like watching a coach Fulmer coached Tennessee team getting get another big win on the road I think that there are many more to come for our current coach

[@CJHdad]

I'd bet this week's paycheck that the same people complaining about the play calling would be the same one to roast Heup if Nico would have gotten hurt due to poor tackle play. 😊

[@CarlaJenkinsTV]

Thanks for the timestamps Cainer. Tennessee gave OU a 'Welcome to the SEC' in its own stadium.

[@davidjohns4223]

78% chance of making the playoffs. Heck I don’t even do this for a living😂. You and AP should have driven out & back. It’s a pretty nice drive across the Ozarks. GBO!!!

[@bolinfamily]

Totality agree with your statement on the maturation as Heupal as a coach. With the way our offensive tackles were struggling and getting to Nico it was a great decision to slow the game down. Nico needs to improve on the time clock in his head. Spending too much time , either tuck it and run or throw out of bounds.

[@adamallison3685]

Bishop is filling in the Jabari small role, now we need to find that third back

[@c10essee47]

Cam will be back once truly healthy

[@Number1VolFan]

Good analysts of the coaching strategy. Honestly it’s sometimes hard to not let Battered Vol Syndrome (BVS) control one’s thinking preventing many long time fans from a clarity of thought for real appreciation of just how we won this game. Go Vols.

[@tulsavol6653]

Eric, been watching your Vols related broadcasts for a long time now. I'll give you a "game ball" for your reporting/analysis for this post game program. To me this one is your best work to date. This was enthusiastic, objective, and just plain smart analysis of a complex away game. We appreciate the opportunity to watch you as an important reporter/editorialist of our Tennessee Volunteers athletics. GBO🍊🏈

[@JeffMadden-c3u]

CJH is a AWESOME COACH & yet he is soooo Much more. His players really love & RESPECT him ! The video in the locker says it ALL !!! Such a CLASS ACT through & through ! GBO VFL

[@clayhamric4912]

The game plan is always right when you get the dub. Go Vols!

[@josephharvey82]

I it was a masterpiece of coaching. The OU defense was good and our line was having some trouble protecting Nico. A lot of coaches would have kept trying to throw the ball. Coach knew the defense was going to keep us in the game so why not run the ball to allow the clock to run!

[@matthewmalone3294]

I’m a 54 yr old man child. I was upset because I thought he didn’t want to embarrass OU, still not sure. But I love coach, and I see his maturity as a coach.

[@roberthowell7814]

People who are upset about the play of the offense in this game, need to reevaluate their expectations. This game was played the way it is played on Sunday every week. Whatever you need to do to win and move on. Think about it, tell me the professional team with outstanding defense that does not focus on running the football and playing defense. People should be happy that Tennessee can win, however, you want to play. That is a very difficult team to beat.

[@c10essee47]

Glad you pointed out the Alabama play calls last year that killed us. I believe Heupel learned from that and has matured as a play caller as well.

[@kidzbop38isstraightfire92]

Ppl have unrealistic expectations of this team. To say you're gonna beat a Top 15 by 5 TDs is stupid and sets yourself up for failure. Anyone predicting a blowout is an idiot.

[@hacc220able]

The real H&S of this team is Josh just like Saban at B all those years. Celebrate wins, hold your anger at losses, always praise and encourage great plays and great players.

[@ukvol1]

The field was trash. Everyone slipping and getting hurt. The officials were horrible. As dominant as our defense was and no holding calls on Oklahoma, and hardly a penalty? Also, like you, I understood the reason for the conservative play calling, but not a fan, and trying this against any team with an offensive pulse has a large chance of failing.

[@jonsolomon4814]

GBO 🍊🏈

[@george7341]

Always love the content Cain! You do a great job on the graphics. I think i like the old jingle intro better than the new..it always got me ready and pumped. But just wanted to say i love finding your videos to start my days off with. A good thing we have a bye this week. Need our O line to get back to health and Arkansas is no pushover this year. Thoughts? Go Vols!

[@Benjamin-xt1xx]

Hey Cainer why was Campbell not the starter at LT. Felt like that was the best choice but didn't see it.

[@LockedOnVols]

b/c he's only repped RT this fall where davis has done both as the primary backup

[@timingram8953]

It was a great game, and more importantly game plan by CJH, the W is more important than STATS.

[@UTbagGumps]

Alabama has good athletes on their defense, but, they valentine as strong schematically. That was a good defense.

[@johnscott8066]

I agree Eric if you didn't like this one you don't know football very well.... Game in hand🎉

[@kevincrabtree6660]

I agree with the 2nd half coaching, even if it's not exciting BUT, what was up with getting a big 4th down stop and then us punting on our side of the field? CJH always goes for it in that situation, especially on the first drive of the game.

[@LockedOnVols]

I agree there. Was surprised to see him punt

[@bolinfamily]

Mailbag question: is the injury with Lance Heard serious?

[@SmokeyVandBigRed]

I swear our fan base “some” are idiots. Everyone says why we didn’t go long ball and score 50. I swear. We let the defense win that game. When I say Vols by fiddy it’s to fuck with ppl. This was a huge win and how they won. You explained this to a T! Great listen today!

[@robertwomack1411]

I can’t believe that these simplistic basic football concepts have to be explained to some in our fanbase

[@willcruikshank7972]

We certainly haven’t earned this reputation, but if you swapped Tennessee uniforms with Georgia ones, everyone would applaud a classic Georgia smash mouth performance

[@robertwomack1411]

It was like watching a Phillip Fulmer coached team win a huge road game That’s what it was like With defense like we have Maybe we are finally back

[@chadharrison19]

Without help from the officials making bonus roughing calls Oklahoma would have gotten only1 TD

[@jamesconner3437]

I've watched several Sooner podcasts today, and they are beside themselves. Jackson Arnold and basically the entire O-line probably are not going to be getting freebies at any local stores and restaurants ! The podcasters feel the Vols were not that great, it was simply that their Sooners played awful. This game did not make me feel great, but a win over the spread against any Oklahoma team is good...very good.

[@Tithulta1]

I don't understand all the crying about the conservative play calling, I didn't LOVE it, but I immediately understood WHY. Defense was playing lights out and our 2nd and 3rd string tackles were struggling in pass pro, so up 19-3, lets make it harder for OU to come back, eat clock, and don't put the ball in danger passing the ball. Run Run Run

[@davidfranklin3180]

To the haters.... honestly ask yourself this. Is it more important for the season to try to win this game by 30 knowing you have it in hand, or protecting your qb by not having him sit in the pocket to get blindsided again? If you said option 1 you're an idiot, full stop.

[@bennettjohnson2631]

Exactly heup is a smart coach

[@nathankelley8294]

Have you heard any comments from players or coaches about the field condition at OU? Could that have been a factor in the conservative play calling?

[@MooseMeus]

you had that roughing the passer where the quarterback barely gets touched, yet a few plays later that same quarterback runs the ball right into three defenders like he's jerome bettis. it's so ridiculous how quarterbacks get special treatment.

[@spoofzorrozfoops5841]

I'd give running backs a B- and TE's a C or C- 2 or 3 times Nico went to run from the collapsing pocket and TEs weren't looking for blocks in their lane that could've sprung Nico for a 1st. Kitselman and Staes both. Didnt see a lot of Davis

[@Trawruss]

I understand your point in segment 1 but I also think relying on your defense for a WHOLE game, and play calling conservatively because your defense is playing good isn’t going to win you Georgia or Alabama, so why start that now? Short passes were working beautifully to both WR and TE

[@Trawruss]

We talked ALL week about how it was going to be hard to run on them, so why not plan for that? If you end up running well, perfect, if you don’t, you have a plan.

[@LockedOnVols]

agree but the play-calling wasn't like that the whole game, just second half after they went up 19-3, found a run game and after getting away with two strip sacks. I think it was a combination of things that allowed that, most notably the defense

[@Trawruss]

@@LockedOnVols yeah I getchu. Definitely not hating on your takes, that’s just what it looked like from my point of view. I’m also just a passionate fan and we all sometimes think we can coach better at times 😂😂. I truly trust Huepel though, this season is gonna be so fun.

[@appalachhaun_adventures]

I believe we would be yelling at the refs if they didn’t call roughing the passer of their player’s hand was on Nico’s facemask. 🤷🏻‍♂️ 😮

[@anthonybaldwin3751]

I thought Larry Johnson looked good.any chance Heard would move to right?

[@kidzbop38isstraightfire92]

F*****ck no. Heard is LT, period.

[@jeffmercer9655]

I think if we would have been more aggressive on offense would have had more injuries

[@VFLoganB]

I appreciate your take on the offensive play calling Eric, it doesn't make me feel better be admittedly I was quite fire up about it lol question is what does it look like again Arkansas?

[@robertwomack1411]

Dude we kicked their ass

[@seekknowledgeunderst]

Much respect to Tenn but if Oklahoma had a little offense. Yall better tighten it up BOOMER SOONER!!!!

[@c10essee47]

53 rushes to 22 passes tell you Heupel pulled the reigns back. You are the little brother holding a disconnected controller thinking you are in the game. GBO🍊🍊🍊

[@blanconino3562]

Why didn’t Lance Heard play?

[@christopherwelch192]

We probably won't know the answer to that until maybe Arkansas. Hope he gets healthy. He was hoping around limping in the NCST game .

[@SmokeyVandBigRed]

80% now @eric Cain! LFG GBO I feel we can beat Bama and uga 12-0

[@jackyhallmark3094]

The Vols are a good , well balanced team BUT they beat the worst OU offense that I have ever seen. Anyone with a well balanced team will be a threat to the Vols.

[@AndrewLangley-tn6jr]

Mailbag question: What is up with Cam Seldon, is he hurt, in the doghouse, ??? Why are we not seeing him on the field?

[@robertwomack1411]

Because of Bishops play Bishop is playing so good

[@bennettjohnson2631]

Honestly like to see him at receiver

[@opeyonecanopy]

IM sure he didn't want to over score on his old school.

[@Richard-yp6do]

Don't cry you got beat

[@spoofzorrozfoops5841]

Can we stop having Squirrel blocking for screen passes? He got bull rushed over a couple times. Love him but he is not built to be a blocker in the SEC

[@bennettjohnson2631]

True more of a bru job but he’s tough for his size you gotta admit

[@yallhatebaadddyoung7356]

Hype knows Tennessee is the better job?

[@misszerylvscompany1683]

If we were up 19-3 any other sec team we would have been pedal to the metal, coach H out of respect for mom and his old team he held back. What he said about the def, was tru but I believe the former

[@LockedOnVols]

I think it had more to do with they couldn't protect the quarterback at all on Saturday. I honestly think Heupel would have put up 100 on them if he could but no reason to risk the lead and your quarterback. already got away with two strip sacks

[@johnnash1119]

*Commend

[@robertduncan5696]

You play to win the game and that field was awful and you chance of getting players hurt

[@StatelineSportsPod]

Josh Heupel didn’t coach mature. He coached scared. He forgot he was a lion and made himself a mouse. Dude forgot who he was.

[@davidfranklin3180]

Nonsense

[@BillAhls]

Absolute nonsense

[@xnsaintx]

😂 you sound like a bafoon lmaoo. He knows exactly who he is. 25-3 by halftime and then chewed the clock the ENTIRE second half. Score EASILY could've been 40+ to 3. The Vols played SO conservative the entire game and even more so the second half that it's not even funny. The field was trash and every time tennessee tried upping the tempo, OU magically had an injury. AND its Josh's old football team. He COULDVE ran the score up and simply chose not to. Put 25 on the board and then laid off and sat on his defense til the game was over. Scared? Absolutely not. They weren't scared of losing that game for a SECOND.

[@bennettjohnson2631]

He was actually protecting Nico starting left tackle out and even more obvious when he got blindsided twice on the left side dropping back

[@rncgsu]

When the UT kicker outscores the QB is a warning. Good luck with that against Bama and UGA with better defense.

[@JackMayhew-fl2tj]

You clearly did not watch the game and if you did, you have no understanding of football

[@neylandsmaxims]

When the Georgia kicker out scores Carson Beck vs Kentucky is a warning. Good luck with the against Tennessee with a better defense. See what I did there? And Oklahoma is a great defense vs Kentucky who is not.