December 31, 2022 at 9:05 AM EST
Big one for Vols
Tennessee against teams ranked in AP top 10, 2007-2021: 0-38
Tennessee against teams ranked in AP top 10, 2022: 2-1
Matt Brown·
Senior Editor, College Football
December 31, 2022 at 8:39 AM EST
Alabama DC Pete Golding on future of the Crimson Tide defense
Is Alabama’s defense too complex for 2022?
It’s nearly sacrilege to question Nick Saban, a guru of defensive schemes, who is viewed as one of the best defensive teachers in the sport, but it’s a query worth exploring if for nothing more than to have a better understanding of what defenses are currently facing .
Offense versus defense has always been a game of cat and mouse. When one side figures out the other, expect something different. But in Alabama’s pursuit of fielding a top defense annually, offenses have evolved in such a way that the hunting of that result has become increasingly difficult.
Since 2009, the Crimson Tide defense has finished in the top five nationally of total defenses eight times, including four years fielding the No. 1 defense (2011, 2012, 2016 and 2017). But it’s been five years since the last time an Alabama defense finished in the top five, which coincided with the end of the Jeremy Pruitt defensive coordinator era. That inevitably leads to the question: Is Alabama’s relative fall-off defensively a coaching issue, a talent issue or a complexity issue?
Read more here.
Aaron Suttles·
Staff Writer, Alabama
GO FURTHER
Alabama DC Pete Golding on future of the Crimson Tide defense, balancing complexity
December 31, 2022 at 8:07 AM EST
Rexrode: Vols’ route of Clemson ends joyous season
Joe Milton kept the football after the last knee to the grass on the last snap of the latest Tennessee win over a national championship football program to cap the best Tennessee season in decades.
He backpedaled with it on the Hard Rock Stadium grass, about 85 miles from where he grew up, taking on a greeting line of teammates. Friday night was turning to Saturday morning. Hendon Hooker’s Tennessee was turning to Joe Milton’s Tennessee. The scoreboard read no. 6 vols 31, no. 7 Clemson Tigers 14. Family members of UT players and coaches streamed onto the field as a big stage was rolled onto the field. Before long Milton was on it with Josh Heupel, the coach who inherited a has-been program and in two years has turned it into a will-be — a destination for top talent, a problem for a lot of people, a relevant college football outpost again.
Read more here.
Joe Rexrode·
Senior Writer, Tennessee
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Rexrode: Vols’ route of Clemson ends joyous season, lifts Joe Milton, honors Hendon Hooker
December 31, 2022 at 7:37 AM EST
Ubben: Tennessee forces Clemson to confront serious questions
Clemson running back Will Shipley’s helmet was nowhere in sight as he meandered off the field into the tunnel, his back covered in grass stains.
Freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik, who was 34-0 as a starting quarterback in 6A Texas high school football, craned his neck skyward to peer through the open roof of Hard Rock Stadium as the sting of the 31-14 loss to No. 6 Tennessee set in.
On the field, the Volunteers celebrated their first 11-win season since 2001 by tossing oranges from the trophy and spraying water on each other from bottles, some of which sprayed onto Clemson players making their way off the field.
“This s— is f—ing embarrassing!” one Clemson player yelled to no one in particular as he exited the field.
Read more here.
(Photo: USA Today)
David Ubben·
Staff Writer, College Football
GO FURTHER
Ubben: Tennessee’s defensive resurgence forces Clemson to confront serious questions
December 31, 2022 at 12:07 PM EST
Tennessee outlasts Clemson to win Orange Bowl
Tennessee defeated Clemson 31-14 on Friday night to win the Orange Bowl. Here’s what you need to know:
Tennessee QB Joe Milton III recorded 251 yards and three touchdowns, outplaying Clemson starter Cade Klubnik, who finished with 320 yards and two interceptions. Milton was awarded Orange Bowl MVP after the game.
The Tigers failed a fake field goal on its first drive and then kicker BT Potter missed three straight field goals on the ensuing possessions.
The Volunteers improve to 11-2 with the win, its first 11-win season since 2001 and its first New Year’s Six bowl win since 2005.
The game marked Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s 200th with the program. He has a 161-39 record.
Read more here.
(Photo: USA Today)
The Athletic College Football
GO FURTHER
Tennessee outlasts Clemson to win Orange Bowl, record first 11-win season in 21 years
December 31, 2022 at 12:03 PM EST
Joe Milton is Orange Bowl MVP
Tennessee’s quarterback completed 19 of 28 passes for 251 yards and three touchdown passes.
The Athletic College Football
December 30, 2022 at 11:58 PM EST
What a turnaround
Two years ago, Joe Milton got benched on a 2-4 Michigan team and Tennessee fired his coach amid an NCAA scandal.
Tonight, Milton led Tennessee to an Orange Bowl title and an 11-2 season.
Tomorrow, Michigan plays in the College Football Playoff for the second straight season.
Matt Fortune·
Staff Writer, CFB
December 30, 2022 at 11:56 PM EST
That’s hard to do
Clemson becomes the first team since at least 2000 to have 31+ first downs and score 14 or fewer points.
Clemson is also the third team since 2000 to run 101+ plays and score 14 or fewer points.
Oklahoma State did it against Oklahoma this year as well.
But Clemson also ran 56 plays in Tennessee territory.
Chris Vannini·
Senior Writer, CFB
December 30, 2022 at 11:33 PM EST
Clemson’s struggles continue
Clemson has:
run 91 plays
earned 30 first downs
scored 14 points
How
Chris Vannini·
Senior Writer, CFB
December 30, 2022 at 11:22 PM EST
Vols respond
Joe Milton and the Vols strike almost again, a 46-yard loft to a wide-open Ramel Keyton to make it 28-14. First, Milton delivered a strike to Keyton over the middle on third and 9 — his second read — to set up that play. He’s now 18 for 27, 241 yards and three touchdowns.
Joe Rexrode·
Senior Writer, Tennessee
December 30, 2022 at 11:16 PM EST
Pressure is on the Vols now
Clemson has changed the game, cutting the lead to 21-14 after a 12-play, 71-yard drive taking 4:59 off the clock. Cade Klubnik ran it in, Tennessee’s Kamal Hadden got an unsportsmanlike penalty on the play, and that convinced Clemson to go for two from just outside the 1-yard line. Now the pressure returns to Joe Milton and Tennessee with 10:01 to play.
Joe Rexrode·
Senior Writer, Tennessee
December 30, 2022 at 11:15 PM EST
Tigers back in it?
Clemson finally crossed the goal line after quarterback Cade Klubnik scored on a quarterback keeper 50 minutes into the Orange Bowl. The Tigers have let a ton of chances slip through their fingers, with a failed fake field goal, three missed kicks and a badly botched end of the first half but it’s still a game. Clemson trails 21-14 with 10 minutes to play.
David Ubben·
Staff Writer, College Football
December 30, 2022 at 11:15 PM EST
Clemson within seven
Tigers get their first touchdown on a Cade Klubnik short run. After an unsportsmanlike penalty on Tennessee, Clemson goes for two and makes it. It’s 21-14 with 10:01 to play.
The Athletic College Football
Nice to see Clemson do the smart thing and go for the 2 now instead of waiting. That’s the smart math play!
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) December 31, 2022
December 30, 2022 at 11:08 PM EST
Tennessee leads 21-6
Tennessee has taken control of the game with a touchdown at the end of the third quarter. The Vols lead 21-6 entering the fourth quarter despite Clemson a 384-282 yard advantage.
The Athletic College Football
December 30, 2022 at 10:50 PM EST
Clemson defense stepping up
Joe Milton nearly throws a pick (Ramel Keyton slipped but the ball was still late), then takes a sack. Offensive stagnation for the Vols. They’re at 212 total yards, just 4.7 per play, and Clemson has a 65-45 edge in plays.
Joe Rexrode·
Senior Writer, Tennessee
December 30, 2022 at 10:27 PM EST
Halftime show = Big Ten West
Halftime performer at the Orange Bowl is Fitz and the Tantrums.
Coincidentally, that’s also what I call the Big Ten West.
David Ubben·
Staff Writer, College Football
December 30, 2022 at 10:01 PM EST
More missed opportunities for Clemson
Clemson with one of the more bizarre halves of football you’ll ever see: 273 total yards, one punt, six trips to Tennessee’s 35-yard line or better, three points.
Chris Vannini·
Senior Writer, CFB
December 30, 2022 at 9:59 PM EST
Vols have the lead at the half
The Vols have a couple of spectacular Joe Milton throws, a flurry of tackles for loss and an overload of Clemson gaffes to thank for their 14-3 halftime lead. The Tigers have 273 total yards to the Vols’ 191. UT has had two good offensive possessions.
But three missed field goals, one botched fake field goal and whatever just happened at the end of the half – Clemson mismanaging the clock badly to rob himself of another three points – have helped Tennessee immensely.
(Photo: USA Today)
Joe Rexrode·
Senior Writer, Tennessee
Rolling with a true freshman making his first career start in a NY6 bowl is not without its risks.
I’ve lost count of how many points Clemson has left on the board today.
— David Ubben (@davidubben) December 31, 2022
December 30, 2022 at 9:38 PM EST
Missle is right
The Athletic College Football
December 30, 2022 at 9:29 PM EST
Nice hurdle from Shipley
That’s an A+ hurdle from Will Shipley, even if he had to pay for it on the back end. Got Doneiko Slaughter to whiff completely.
David Ubben·
Staff Writer, College Football
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