How Josh Heupel will spend his Saturday during off week
Tennessee (4-0) is off this week with an Oct. 5 game at Arkansas ahead.
Four games into the 2024 college football season, Tennessee football has not only jumped out of the gate strong but has also established itself as a national championship contender.
The Vols are 4-0 and ranked No. 6 in the US LBM Coaches Poll in Josh Heupel’s fourth season, and have shown they can win in all three facets of the game, as highlighted by last week’s SEC-opener win at Oklahoma. Through the four games, Tennessee has outscored its opponents 216-28 and have racked up 31 tackles for a loss.
But Tennessee’s momentum will have to “hold together” for the next week, as Heupel’s squad is on bye in Week 5 ahead of a road trip to Arkansas next week.
REQUIRED READING: Why we’re taking Tennessee football seriously as a national championship contender
Quarterback Nico Iamaleava has lived up to the hype and early expectations surrounding him, with 892 yards and seven touchdowns through four games. His partner in crime in the backfield, Dylan Sampson, leads the nation with 10 rushing touchdowns on 69 carries for 449 yards.
The Vols’ defense has been just as good to open the season. Through roughly a fifth of the season, defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ unit has not only given up three touchdowns and 225 total yards of offense but has recorded 31 tackles for a loss of 106 yards, seven sacks, two interceptions and two safeties. Defensive lineman Tyre West leads with two sacks.
Here’s when the Vols are set to return, including at look at Tennessee’s remaining schedule:
Does Tennessee have best college sports tradition? Vote now!
No. The Vols are currently on the first of two byes this season in Week 5 of the 2024 college football season.
Tennessee will return to action in Week 6, when the Vols travel over to Fayetteville, Arkansas to face Arkansas at Razorback Field. The Razorbacks have had the Vols’ number of late, as Arkansas has won each of the last three contests, with the last one coming in 2020.
Next Saturday’s game against Arkansas will start a three-game stretch for the Vols, one Tennessee will end with a top-10 matchup against No. 4 Alabama at Neyland Stadium on Oct. 19. The Vols game vs. the Crimson Tide not only will have College Football Playoff implications come with it but could decide who ends up earning a spot in the SEC Championship Game come the end of the season.
Is Tennessee the best college for sports fans? Vote now!
Here’s a look at the Vols’ schedule in 2024, including available start times and TV channel information:
All times Eastern
* Denotes SEC game
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
NFL Overreactions Week 10Sports Seriously's Mackenzie Salmon breaks down the wildest games in NFL Week 10.Sports SeriouslyWe're down to just a few weeks left un
NFL Week 11 picks and predictions: Why you should consider Saints and Packers on SundayLorenzo Reyes is back with his best bets for Sunday's slate of games.The
NFL Week 11 picks and predictions: Why you should consider Saints and Packers on SundayLorenzo Reyes is back with his best bets for Sunday's slate of games.The
This embedded content is not available in your region.On today's episode, Dan Wetzel, Ross Dellenger and SI's Pat Forde analyze the playoff chances for Army aft