Although Tennessee let South Carolina battle back into Saturday’s game after dominating early, the Volunteers still managed to hold off the Gamecocks 27-24, moving within a win of bowl eligibility.
The Volunteers (5-4, 3-3 SEC) were 2-3 just a few weeks ago, but after winning for the third time in the last four games – with the lone loss coming by five points at Alabama – they now rank as perhaps the second-best team in the SEC East. Their fourth-quarter implosion in a 28-27 loss to division champ Florida looms large.
At any rate, Tennessee has a legitimate shot to close the regular season on a five-game winning streak and carry enormous momentum into the offseason.