It's all on the line for the Tennessee Volunteers and Josh Heupel this weekend. While Heupel is keeping things coy and saying the Vols are treating this contest against Vanderbilt like any other one, it doesn't take away from the fact that College Football Playoff dreams are on the line.
With a win, the Vols are in and they could potentially host a first-round game at Neyland Stadium. With a loss, however, Tennessee will be eliminated from CFP contention. This is something star running back Dylan Sampson and his teammates fully understand. While speaking to the media on Monday, Sampson said he and others are treating the showdown with Vandy as a playoff game. Good:
Dylan Sampson on facing Vanderbilt this weekend:
— Vol Report (@AllVolReport) November 25, 2024
“Everybody in the building knows the reality… it’s basically a playoff game.” pic.twitter.com/tDrvqVKEPz
Tennessee RB Dylan Sampson is treating Vanderbilt like a College Football Playoff game
This is 100 percent the right mindset for Sampson and the other guys inside of the locker room to have. Yes, Heupel and the coaches can try and play things down and present a calm, focused front, but this is do-or-die for Tennessee.
The good news is that the Vols are entering this road game in Nashville with plenty of confidence. Not only are they No. 7 in the country in the new AP Top 25 poll, but they just stomped UTEP 56-0 at Neyland over the weekend.
A concern has been the slow starts, which was on full display against the Miners. However, after being tied 0-0 after the opening 15 minutes, Tennessee put on a clinic. Against the Commodores in the regular season finale, the Vols simply must be at their best from start to finish.
Sampson is one of the best running backs in the country and he's going to have to deliver whenever his number is called. Tennessee will be feeding him the ball early and often. Sampson is going to be playing with a chip on his shoulder too, which could spell trouble for Vanderbilt on Saturday.