Sometimes, things click. Tennessee football knows all too well about how losing its best superstar, the face of its program, doesn’t always mean doom and gloom. Over 20 years ago, the Vols did something similar to what the World Series champion Washington Nationals just did.
Entering 1998, UT lost its all-world quarterback, the guy who should have won the Heisman the year before after leading them to an SEC Championship and was then was taken first overall in the NFL Draft. We’re obviously talking about future NFL superstar Peyton Manning.
Coming off three straight seasons of 11-1, 10-2 and 11-2, always knocking on the door for a national title but never getting through, it seemed like Tennessee football missed its window.