Tennessee-Florida was the moment. All summer long, that Florida game was the one this program had to get. It won’t be the toughest game for Tennessee this year — far from it. But it was the one they had to win. Why? Because the Volunteers are flat out better, and Josh Heupel’s progress needed to be shown on that scoreboard.
Everyone knew it, too, and it created an electric atmosphere in Knoxville. A sold out Neyland, complete with checked stands and College Gameday in appearance. That might have just been peak Neyland.
And this coaching staff was sure to take advantage.