KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For more than two seasons, I have implored the Tennessee Volunteers to abandon the no-huddle offense, and focus on winning the time of possession battle.

And, completely unrelated to my doing so, they have finally prioritized controlling the clock.

In Saturday’s 26-10 victory over the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide, head coach Josh Heupel elected for a more patient offensive approach.

The Volunteers operated out of the huddle, and as a result, dominated the time of possession, 36 minutes to 24.

You read that right. The Volunteers dominated the country’s second-highest scoring offense on the clock.

After winning the time of possession battle in an SEC one time last season, the Volunteers have now controlled the clock in three of their first four games against SEC opponents in 2026.

Not coincidentally, they are 3-1 in SEC play.

Coming into the season, there was a general understanding that the Volunteer offense would be far less effective than it was in 2025, due to the departures of quarterback Joey Aguilar and receiver Chris Brazzell II.

Instead of simply accepting their fate, however, the Volunteers changed their approach drastically.

Tennessee is running the ball with the frequency of a service academy, and it is the only reason their offense is serviceable enough to support their incredible defense.

In seven games, the Volunteers have totaled 302 rush attempts, tied for the sixth-most in the country, and also tied for the most in the SEC.

Their lead back, DeSean Bishop, has the third-most rushing yards in the country (837) on the fourth-most attempts (139).

Both marks also rank second in the SEC.

“[We found] the right way to win a football game,” Heupel said. “[By operating] out of the huddle.”

Taking a look at the remainder of Tennessee’s schedule should also be encouraging for Volunteer fans, as only two of its remaining five SEC matchups will come against teams currently ranked in the Associated Press top 25.

Luckily for Tennessee, both of those games will be played inside of the friendly confines of Neyland Stadium.

The team’s remaining road contests will come against three opponents with a combined SEC record of 2-10, making the Volunteers’ path to the College Football Playoff (CFP) increasingly realistic.

Being supported by one of the nation’s top defenses, the Volunteers’ offense does not have to rival that of the 2013 Denver Broncos.

They just have to remain functional.

Up next for the Volunteers is a trip to Columbia, South Carolina, for a 3:30 p.m. Saturday date with the LaNorris Sellers-led South Carolina Gamecocks.

Though the Gamecocks have gotten off to a rocky start this season, coming into the matchup at 3-3 (1-3 SEC), their explosive potential offensively remains undeniable.

This season, Sellers has completed 61.5% of his passes for 1,338 yards, 12 touchdowns, and four interceptions.

And, although he is a strong pocket passer, he is even more dangerous as a runner.

In six games, Sellers has totaled 411 rushing yards, and that figure includes sacks.

His top receiver, however, is South Carolina’s most dangerous weapon.

Meet Nyck Harbor, the 6-foot-5 deep threat averaging nearly 17 yards per catch.

While Tennessee’s secondary is elite, top cornerback Ty Redmond stands at just 6-foot-3, leaving the Volunteers at a significant size disadvantage against the senior receiver.

It remains to be seen whether the Volunteers will continue their three-game win streak against the Gamecocks, but they will open as 2.5-point underdogs for Saturday.

Source: Yahoo Sports