For nearly 15 years, the Tennessee Vols were the butt of jokes in college football.
Rival fans and even members of the national media took pleasure in mocking the Vols whenever the program stumbled, whether it was after a big loss or during coaching changes. From the Derek Dooley and Butch Jones years to the Jeremy Pruitt era, Tennessee football endured plenty of ridicule.
However, thanks to head coach Josh Heupel and his staff, the Vols have transformed from being a punchline to becoming a benchmark for success.
This past weekend, Tennessee secured a 25-15 victory over Oklahoma in Norman, in one of the most anticipated games for the Vols in recent memory. The matchup carried added significance due to Heupel’s return to OU and the fact that it was the Sooners’ first game against an SEC opponent as a future member of the conference.
Following the game, Oklahoma linebacker Sammy Omosigho praised Tennessee’s offense, emphasizing how the Sooners’ performance against the Vols showcased their ability to compete with any team in the nation.
“Man, shout out to Tennessee, they’re an amazing offense,” said Omosigho. “That just really showed me that we can play with anyone in the country and we’re ready for whatever comes next.”
While Oklahoma was clearly disappointed with the loss, Omosigho’s comments almost framed it as a moral victory—finding value in playing well against Tennessee’s high-powered offense, even in defeat.
It’s been quite some time since a top-tier SEC team walked away from a loss to Tennessee with this kind of respect.
Tennessee’s resurgence under Heupel has reached a point where even ranked opponents view keeping the game close against the Vols as a positive. This shift is the ultimate sign of respect, and it underscores just how far the Tennessee football program has come under Heupel’s leadership.
