The Tennessee Volunteers fans might be on cloud nine. After all, the 2024 season has been in their favor. First crushing Kalen DeBoer’s Alabama on October 19, then pinning down Kentucky on November 2, it seems like the Volunteers HC did not have to look back even for a moment. Well, does that save them a big spot in the College Football Playoff? Sadly, no!

At least that’s what the 3x All-American David Pollack believes. It looks like he has enough reasons to feel so since Huepel’s boys seemed to showcase only one-sided strength. But maybe the HC would need some more time to accept their loopholes since even after Saturday’s game he was caught in a protective mood.   

David Pollack puts Heupel’s army under critical radar

As Heupel stated, “Tonight’s a good night for the orange,” and he was absolutely right with his claim. Against Kentucky, the Volunteers QB Nico Iamaleava has played his best SEC games. Plus, running back Dylan Sampson broke the single-season record for touchdowns in Tennessee history as he came up with two touchdowns. But even then for the analyst Pollack, Heupel’s CFP dreams are far from getting true. 

Even though Iamaleava came off strong, the QB’s actions to Pollack were tagged as “crazy.” Plus, during their game against Kentucky, Josh Heupel’s kicker Max Gilbert had a tough time as the analyst stated, “Your kicker can’t kick.” That’s how the Volunteers are plagued with the lack of balance. They have one of the best defenses in the country. Through the eight games this season, the Vols allowed 99 points, averaging 12.38 points per game. That’s not enough to woo Pollack. 

“Tennessee’s defense still plays elite week in and week out and they’re going to keep him in every game but the offense is just it’s a mixed bag,” commented the analyst. To him, Heupel’s squad is now vibing to “We are so good. God, we s-ck man.” But the HC is still not second-guessing his tribe. 

Josh Heupel holds on to his faith 

On Saturday night, Gilbert gifted 12-of-12 on field goal attempts of less than 50 yards. But from a distance, the kicker came off as a weak chap! Even though No.7 Vols crushed Kentucky at Neyland Stadium, Gibert missed not one, not two, but ALL THREE of his field goals. He even tried to hook attempts 43 and 34 yards wide left and pushed a 40-yarder wide right, but all turned out to be a big flop!

But that did not result in losing Heupel’s confidence. While Gilbert has been a reliable name, the kicker has missed five of his past six attempts over the past two games. Let’s get an in-depth look at the misses. Against Alabama, he missed two long-range efforts from 53 and 56 yards. On the other hand, even though there was a hat trick of missed goals against the Wildcats, they were manageable. That’s how he continued to be in the HC’s good books.    

“I do have confidence in him. He’s got to find a way to start faster during the course of the football game. He’s kicked it extremely well,” stated Josh Heupel. Maybe deep down he too knows that Tennessee football doesn’t have to look like a playoff team to be in the CFP.  

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