Creating Atmospheres - Why Saturday Is Reflective of Josh Heupel's Work

Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel has steered this program back to relevancy, reflected in the stakes of this afternoon's game.

Neyland Stadium is one of the best environments in college football, bar none. But fans hadn't had much to cheer about for the better part of two decades before head coach Josh Heupel entered the picture. A 7-6 debut campaign sparked murmurs of a revitalized team, and a magical 2022 season catapulted them far ahead of schedule.

Today, Tennessee is the No. 21 team in the country with a revitalized defense. They host ten prospects with five-star status on 247Sports' Composite Rankings and sell out Neyland every weekend. Yes, 2023 has been a difficult year for a program that just achieved an elite height, but they continue to progress along the right track. People care about football in Knoxville, Tennessee, on a national scale, and the weight of the brand carries meaning.

They've done some remarkable things three years into Heupel's tenure - beating Georgia might top that list. However, the stakes around this game and the attention already reflect the work that Heupel has done. He's brought football life back in a city that needed it, and Saturday is just another example in a long line of them.

Tennessee Volunteers HC Josh Heupel during a win over Kentucky. (Photo by Caitie McMekin of the News Sentinel)

Betting Lines as of 11/18 - Georgia vs. Tennessee

• Caesar's Sportsbook: Georgia -10, Tennessee ML +320, O/U 59.5
• Draft Kings: Georgia -10.5, Tennessee ML +320, O/U 59.5
• Fan Duel: Georgia -10.5, Tennessee ML +330, O/U 58.5

How To Watch: Georgia @ Tennessee

• Gameday: Saturday, November 18th, 2023.
• Game time: 3:30 pm ET
• TV: CBS
• Stadium: Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, Tennessee)
• Live stream on fuboTV: Start with a 7-day free trial!

You Might Also Like:

• Impact Analysis: What Does Dylan Lewis Bring To Rocky Top?
• Josh Dobbs Makes Big Play Against Seahawks
• Josh Heupel Comments on Officiating vs. Alabama

Join the community:

Follow Evan Crowell on Twitter: @EvanVCrowell

You can follow us for future coverage by clicking "Follow" on the top right-hand corner of the page. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @VolunteerCountry & follow us on Twitter at @VCountryFN.