Former Alabama Crimson Tide star and Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram recently identified a key trait that he believes makes the Tennessee Vols a “dangerous” team. Reflecting on Tennessee’s 25-15 victory over the Oklahoma Sooners, Ingram was particularly impressed with how the Vols handled head coach Josh Heupel’s return to Norman without making the game about his past.
Despite Heupel’s history with Oklahoma, he kept the focus on the team, and that resonated with the players, who seemed to give an “extra” effort, according to Ingram.
“That’s what football is all about, that’s what this game is all about,” Ingram said during *The Triple Option*. “He [Heupel] didn’t make it about going back to Oklahoma. He made it about his team going in there and handling the business they needed to handle. But the players — you know your coach. If you want to run through a wall for your coach, you know how much that means. And that’s what that showed right there. When you see that type of stuff going on in the locker room, that’s different. That makes a team dangerous.”
Ingram’s point speaks to more than just Tennessee’s talent or tactical acumen. The real danger lies in the Vols’ complete buy-in to Heupel’s vision. The players are willing to give everything on every snap, not just for personal gain but for their coach, their team, and their school. They’re not just making decisions based on individual goals; instead, they’re fully committed to the collective mission. The Vols are motivated and hungry, showing the nation they’re serious contenders.
Ingram’s observations are spot on. This kind of unwavering belief in the program and dedication to the team dynamic elevates Tennessee beyond just being a well-coached squad. It makes them a legitimate threat on the national stage. A team with that level of unity, passion, and commitment is always dangerous, and the Vols are proving it week after week.
