University of Tennessee Athletics
The Power Of Six
November 24, 2014 | Football
Nov. 24, 2014
By Brian Rice KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
UTSports.com
In looking for the win on Saturday, the Power of One has become the Power of Six, as in the sixth win that the Volunteers seek against Vanderbilt in Nashville on Saturday. A win that would give Tennessee its first bowl bid since 2010. Perhaps more importantly, it would give the team an additional month together for bowl preparation and the Vol seniors one more chance to wear the orange and white.
"It is a big game for a number of reasons," head coach Butch Jones said Monday in his final weekly press conference of the 2014 season. "It is a big game because it is the last regular season opportunity that our seniors will have. It is a chance to build momentum in moving forward, which we have tremendous momentum. We are fighting for bowl eligibility. It is an instate rivalry game. So there is a lot on the line. Every game is important."
The in-state rivalry is another key, particularly for the Nashville-area players on the roster, and can go a long way in continuing to build on winning recruiting battles in the mid-state.
"You look at our true freshmen that are playing from the mid-state area, eyes go first to Derek Barnett," Jones said. "You look at Jalen Hurd. You look at Josh Malone. Rashaan Gaulden is starting to come in. Vic Wharton. How about that play he made on that punt batting the ball back? You look at all those individuals. Jashon Robertson. I can go on and on. They all made an impact. I think if you speak to them, they now understand what it means from an in-state player to stay at home and represent their in-state institution. That's all over the SEC. If you look at the rosters of all the SEC teams, they start with their home base first and foremost. That's going to be our philosophy here."
A win would also put a halt to the two-game win streak the Commodores have in the series. Vandy has not won three-consecutive games against Tennessee since 1926, the final year of a six-game streak that was stopped by the arrival of Robert Neyland.
"It's definitely big for the program to get to win number six," linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin said. "We're trying to focus on that right now and not look ahead a possible bowl game. It's all eyes on Vanderbilt. We're focused on six, it's a new season."
Jones has said all year that each week is a one-game season. Now, that is both a figurative and a literal statement.
"Win number six is a program win, sophomore corner back Cam Sutton said. "A lot of guys on this team have never played Vanderbilt. We're just trying to teach the young guys the meaning behind the game and getting win six. A bowl game comes with it, but we have to win Saturday to even get to that point."
A sixth win to give Tennessee a bowl bid would accomplish one of the goals that Team 118 started with in fall camp. But in Jones' eyes, win six does not "validate" the direction the program is headed, it is just an example of the progress being made.
"I know we're headed in the right direction," Jones said. "I think everybody, it gets back to what I said, and across the country they know we're headed in the right direction. So, it's not validation or anything like that. The next game is very important. We're fighting for victory number six. It's going to be a great challenge. Vanderbilt's going to play their best. We have to play our best."
