Vols Need To Make A Statement Against South Carolina On Saturday

The Vols made a statement on the road against Kentucky last week, completely destroying a team that barely lost to Florida earlier this season.

Tennessee can add on to that statement with a big win against South Carolina on Saturday.

The Vols are expected to win big against the Gamecocks (they’re favored by 17), but this is a game where they need to completely dominate.

There’s no doubt that Tennessee is the better team. The Volunteers are much better than their 4-4 record indicates. As we all know, Tennessee is just a handful of plays away from being 7-1 (or possibly even 8-0).

South Carolina, who will be looking for a new coach at season’s end, is in a tailspin. Their lone bright spot this season was a season-opening win against North Carolina (their only loss this season), a game that even then-coach Steve Spurrier was surprised that his team won.

Tennessee and South Carolina are two programs heading into two completely different directions. The Vols should extend their winning streak against South Carolina to three games on Saturday (isn’t that nice to hear, UT actually has a winning streak against a SEC team not named Kentucky).

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But simply extending their winning streak against the Gamecocks won’t be enough for the Volunteers on Saturday.

Tennessee’s offense is starting to come around under new offensive coordinator Mike DeBord. Players like Josh Malone and Alvin Kamara are proving their worth and Josh Dobbs just continues to get better.

The Vols need to air it out and put 50 on the scoreboard on Saturday.

They also need to hold Pharoh Cooper and the Gamecocks’ offense to 20 points or less.

Tennessee’s goal right now is to win out and finish the regular season with eight wins. This is something they should easily do. They’ll be favored in every game down the stretch.

Next: Three Keys Each For The Vols And Gamecocks

Butch Jones, a man I was critical of after the Vols’ loss to Florida, has this team heading in the right direction.

If his squad can make a statement and win by 30 on Saturday, I think the excitement level for UT football will be right back where it was to start the season.