If you've followed him closely in recent years, you know that Josh Heupel has been incredibly careful to not give opposing teams any extra motivation to take down Tennessee football. He has a way of dancing around things with his words, but he also didn't hold back a bit with Arkansas up next.
Last year when these two sides faced off, Tennessee was a Top 10 team and the Vols were expected to dominate. Instead, a stunning upset was posted by Arkansas and it nearly kept UT out of the College Football Playoff. It left a sour taste in a lot of people's mouths.
5-star Tennessee RB target heading back to Knoxville for the Arkansas game
Come Saturday, Tennessee and Arkansas are going to face off at Neyland Stadium and it's being deemed a 'revenge game' for the guys in orange. Heupel was asked about this by reporters this week and he gave a response that plenty of fans can get on board with:
Tennessee Head Coach Josh Heupel was asked if there is a revenge factor to the Vols matchup with Arkansas at today’s SEC Teleconference:
— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) October 8, 2025
“I think everybody certainly remembers the disappointment of that night. It’s a part of how you move forward as a program,” said Heupel.… pic.twitter.com/UyCn1bJbzZ
Tennessee football has revenge on its mind taking on Arkansas this weekend
“I think everybody certainly remembers the disappointment of that night. It’s a part of how you move forward as a program,” Heupel said via FOX Sports Knoxville. “Last year is last year, but certainly, we need and want to go play our best brand of football and that’s what it takes to win in this league.”
This was Heupel's creative way of saying the loss to Arkansas last season ticked him off and it's still on his mind. You think he needs extra motivation to post an SEC win in October? Not a chance, but the fact of the matter here is that Arkansas took down UT last year and it's time to return the favor.
Things have been a mess for the Razorbacks this season, with Sam Pittman just getting fired. It's going to be on Bobby Petrino to try and stop the rough play from continuing, but his first game in charge is against No. 12 Tennessee. Good luck with that, Bobby.
The Tennessee defense will look to bounce back after giving up 34 points to Mississippi State the last time it took the field. Arkansas running back Mike Washington calling out Tennessee's defense sure has people talking. The Vols will hope to make him eat his words and hopefully it comes in a Vols win.