Heupel Talks Through Tennessee's Week 9 Open Date

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has discussed the Volunteers' open date in Week 9. The break arrives in place of a game this week, giving the program a pause in the middle of its schedule.

Open dates are typically used for rest, recovery and self-assessment rather than preparation for an immediate opponent. Heupel's discussion of Tennessee's Week 9 break dealt with that period for the Vols, as the team looks ahead to the remainder of its schedule.

For Tennessee, the value of the open date will be measured by what follows it. The Vols will return from the break with the rest of the season still to play, and their preparation during Week 9 is intended to set up that stretch.