The Tennessee Vols head into their first bye week of the season on the heels of a 25-15 win over Oklahoma in Norman on Saturday. Key word: first. Teams have two bye weeks during the 2024 season.
As such, the Vols have two bye weeks in 2024: September 28 and October 26. While just 4 weeks apart, they still present head coaches with different priorities during each.
Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel is no stranger to adapting to the evolving landscape of college football. As the 2024 season rolls on, Heupel finds himself navigating one of the biggest in-season changes in the sport’s recent history: the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff (CFP). In a sport where every game carries immense weight, the new postseason format is altering the way teams approach scheduling, strategy, and player development.
Heupel, who has revitalized the Vols since taking over as head coach in 2021, has been vocal about how these changes have impacted his approach to the 2024 season. The expanded playoff structure has not only opened the door for more teams to compete for a national championship, but it has also increased the stakes for programs like Tennessee, who are looking to solidify themselves as consistent playoff contenders.
When asked about how he’s handling these shifts, Heupel emphasized the importance of staying focused on what the team can control. “The expanded playoff gives you more opportunities, but at the same time, you can’t look too far ahead. Every game still matters,” Heupel said in a recent press conference. “The margin for error might be a little bigger, but that doesn’t mean we can afford to let up. Our preparation and execution have to be as sharp as ever.”
One of the most significant adjustments for Heupel and his staff has been managing the physical and mental toll on players. With the possibility of playing more high-stakes games later in the season, depth and player rotation have become more critical than ever. “We’re making sure our guys are fresh and ready to perform at a high level week in and week out,” Heupel noted. “The expanded season means we have to be even smarter about how we handle practice, recovery, and keeping our players in peak condition.”
The Vols’ head coach has also pointed out that the new format has changed the perception of certain games. Non-conference matchups and divisional games now have added weight as they factor into CFP selection criteria. This means every victory could be pivotal in securing one of the 12 playoff spots.
In addition to the expanded playoff, Heupel has had to deal with other in-season changes like the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) deals. He believes these shifts have made college football more competitive, as players now have more power to choose where they play, and programs must be adaptive to retain talent. “You’ve got to build a culture where guys want to stay and develop. That’s key with all the movement that happens now.”
As the 2024 season progresses, Heupel’s handling of these significant changes has been a topic of discussion not only among Tennessee fans but also across college football. His ability to adapt to the new landscape while keeping his team focused on the ultimate goala national championship will be crucial as the Vols push through one of the most transformative seasons in recent memory.