Tigers Preparing for 'Tennessee Tempo' In Orange Bowl

One of the biggest keys for Clemson in the Orange Bowl will be defending what KJ Henry called the Tennessee tempo.

JP Priester | Dec 28, 2022

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DANIA BEACH, FL- Tennessee's offense is as explosive as any in the country.

Coming into its Orange Bowl matchup against No. 7 Clemson, the No. 6 Volunteers are scoring a nation-best 47.3 points per game. One of the keys to that success has been the speed at which Josh Heupel's offense operates, and preparing for what veteran defensive end KJ Henry termed as the Tennessee tempo will be crucial for the Tigers' success.

"You got moderate, right... you got tempo, and you got Tennessee tempo," Henry said.

While many teams across the country use tempo, Tennessee might utilize as well as anyone. Clemson got a taste of it against Wake Forest earlier in the season, but Henry noted that what the Volunteers do is on a whole other level.

"Tennessee tempo is the best way to explain this team. I mean, it's not very hard to see. They put up a lot of points, first off. Scoring in a short amount of time and then your defense getting stopped. That usually leads to great success. So yeah, they move fast and you see it on film."

One advantage the Tigers do have is time, as Clemson has had more than two weeks to prepare, and for that, Henry is more than grateful. Not only do the Vols rank No. 3 nationally in passing offense, averaging 332.3 yards per game, but they can also beat you on the ground, boasting a rushing attack that ranks No. 18, averaging 206 yards per contest.

"I applaud every team that's only had a week to prepare for them," Henry said. "Seems like one of the worst things to have to do. Even having like two and a half weeks, it's been its own challenge. So yeah, Tennessee tempo, we're trying to get ready for it."

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