I stand corrected.

Wednesday, I wrote about the initial poll from the College Football Playoff Committee being a big motivator for Tennessee in its game against Kentucky.

I was wrong.

It wasn’t the poll. Even though the Vols were No. 13 and Alabama, a team with the same record and had been beaten handily by Tennessee, was No. 5.

Coach Josh Heupel and some players said after their 34-6 beat-down of the Wildcats the poll was met with a shrug. They understood the nonsense of reality.

The internal giddy-up had nothing to do with some Kentucky hooligans painting “The Rock,” an icon on the UT campus, blue before the game.

The true motivation for the victory came from linebackers coach William Inge making it back on the sidelines — even if it was in a spectator’s capacity — after a serious undisclosed medical situation that cost him about the entire month of October in the hospital.

While on the mend at home, he was allowed to spend some time with his team.

Afterward, while speaking at the podium, Vols head coach Josh Heupel got emotional when referring to Inge and the role he played in the win.

“We truly witnessed a miracle and God’s hands on somebody,” Heupel said of Inge’s recovery. “It was motivation for everyone. We gave him a game ball.”

Senior linebacker Arion Carter, who has been Inge’s star pupil, impressed his coach with his performance.

Carter filled up the stat sheet with 13 tackles, two sacks, a quarterback hurry and four of Tennessee’s eight tackles for loss. Carter called it one of his best games at Tennessee.

“It was so gratifying to get (Inge) back,” Carter said. “We were there at the hospital, praying over him daily.”

The decisive victory, which was forged by an amazing second half, will put the Vols in the thick of the race for a playoff berth when the new poll comes out Tuesday night. If it doesn’t, there really should be an investigation.

Tennessee showed some new wrinkles, most notably using quarterback Faizon Brandon in certain situations and he delivered big time — a 29-yard run that led to a field goal and a 24-yard shovel pass to Mike Matthews for a touchdown.

Two very productive snaps.

What makes the last three weeks of Tennessee’s schedule encouraging is that the Vols will be up against three teams that, in reality, should have every reason to pack it in and look forward to next year.

This week’s opponent, Texas A&M, lost to South Carolina last week, its fifth setback of the season. There’s nothing left to play for in College Station.

LSU, the Vols’ final home opponent in two weeks, was shelled by Alabama. The Tigers have three losses and play Texas this week.

And, unlike last year, Vanderbilt is bad.

That means, Tennessee will be favored in each of its final three games. How that translates into actual victories is yet to be seen.

But, for Vols fans — it’s a good place to be right now.

Source: Yahoo Sports