Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel recently addressed the aftermath of his team’s 28-24 loss to Ole Miss, a game that has left Vols fans questioning what’s next for the program’s College Football Playoff (CFP) hopes. Despite the disappointment, Heupel remains optimistic and sees potential for his team to still make a strong push toward the postseason.

 

The game against Ole Miss, which was a hard-fought battle, marked a significant setback for Tennessee. The loss dropped the Vols to 9-2 on the season, but Heupel remains confident that his team’s goals are still within reach. “There’s a lot of football left to be played, and we’ve got to stay focused on what we can control,” Heupel said during his post-game comments. “We can’t get caught up in one loss. There’s too much ahead of us.”

 

The loss to Ole Miss was a tough one, as Tennessee had opportunities to seal the victory, but critical mistakes—ranging from turnovers to missed opportunities—cost them in the final moments. Quarterback Joe Milton, who had shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season, struggled with consistency in this game. Milton threw an interception late in the third quarter, and the offense, which had been potent throughout the season, was unable to recover fully. Still, Heupel refused to place blame solely on Milton, recognizing the challenges every player and position group faces in high-pressure games.

 

“We’ve all got to do a better job executing, from the line of scrimmage to the skill positions,” Heupel remarked. “It’s not just one player’s fault when we come up short in these types of games. We win and lose together.”

 

Despite the disappointment, Heupel is seeing a silver lining in the team’s performance. The loss, while unfortunate, has forced the coaching staff and players to reevaluate their game plans and focus more on the areas that need improvement. “We’ve had a great season so far. But the margin for error in high-level football is small,” Heupel said. “We’ve been playing at a high level, but there are areas we can improve on, and this game showed us that. It’s about getting back to work, refining our fundamentals, and making sure we’re prepared for what’s ahead.”

 

Tennessee’s playoff hopes may have taken a hit, but Heupel emphasized that the Vols are still very much in the race. The team’s remaining schedule includes some crucial matchups that will be key to securing a potential spot in the College Football Playoff. Heupel noted that the players’ resilience and ability to respond to adversity will be vital in the coming weeks.

 

“We’ve got a lot of confidence in this team,” Heupel said. “The way we prepare, the way we work together as a group, it gives us the belief that we can accomplish what we’ve set out to do. We’ve still got everything to play for.”

 

One of the most promising aspects of the team’s current outlook is its ability to bounce back after setbacks. Under Heupel’s leadership, Tennessee has shown time and time again that they are not a team that stays down for long. This resilience, Heupel believes, will be crucial for the Vols as they look to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.

 

Looking ahead, Heupel acknowledged that the Vols will need to play their best football in the final stretch of the season. “It’s about how we respond,” Heupel said. “This is the time of year where every game matters, and we’ve got to continue to grow, continue to work, and give ourselves a chance.”

 

For Heupel, the loss to Ole Miss serves as a reminder that college football is a marathon, not a sprint. While the Vols’ playoff aspirations may have been momentarily shaken, Heupel remains focused on the bigger picture and the opportunities that still lie ahead. With a strong finish to the season, Tennessee can still secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, but it will take discipline, focus, and improvement in key areas for the Vols to make it happen.