The Tennessee Volunteers, led by head coach Josh Heupel, secured an emotional victory to kick off SEC play. The Vols traveled to Norman and defeated Heupel’s alma mater, the Oklahoma Sooners.
Heupel played a pivotal role in winning Oklahoma’s last national championship in 2000 as the team’s starting quarterback before transitioning to a coaching role at the school. Following his dismissal as the school’s offensive coordinator after the 2014 season, Heupel’s journey eventually led him to become the head coach at Tennessee in 2021.
After the big win, there was speculation that Heupel might consider returning to Oklahoma if the Sooners part ways with current head coach Brent Venables. Paul Finebaum revealed on the “Paul Finebaum Show” that he doesn’t think this is a story yet, mainly because Venables’ job doesn’t seem to be in jeopardy. “I don’t think that’s a story yet,” Finebaum said. “I’m not saying that two years from now it couldn’t bubble over, but right now, I think we’re pretty safe from that being speculation anywhere.”
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Currently, Heupel is focused on his undefeated Volunteers. Tennessee is ranked No. 5, the second-highest ranking a Heupel-led team has ever achieved. This ranks behind the 2022 Tennessee team, which reached No. 2 at one point…