Wouldn't want to work on a commission for bowl ticket sales this year, the first fringe of fan apathy reared its head this weekend, as Heupel fumbled another big time conference game, this time at home, going 1-3 on conference games in Neyland this season with zero improvement over the course of the season and fans beginning to wonder what he can do with this program in the new NIL and transfer portal environment consuming the SEC. His ability to judge and develop football talent is up for debate.
The season ticket holders will be back in 2026, if for no other reason than to see how Alex Golesch is doing down at Auburn and the mustard bottle/golf ball throwers will be there for the LSU game, Alabama will be here, as well as Arch Manning and Sarkesian (maybe even Bevo), but most fans expect, without significant upgrades to talent in the jerseys and on his coaching staff, Tennessee should be expected to have a losing record in conference in Neyland again next year, losses to A & M and Vanderbilt are likely on the road, results at Arkansas and South Carolina are unknown. The visit to Grant Field in Atlanta in September could go either way, as the Ramblin Wreck settles in under Brent Key.
The task at hand is urgent and immediate, we play in the SEC, the most competitive college football conference.