Heupel Points to 2022 Columbia Loss as a Warning Before South Carolina Trip

Josh Heupel opened the week by reminding his team what happened the last time Tennessee played at South Carolina. He brought up the 2022 game on Monday morning, using that night in Columbia as a warning as the No. 11 Vols prepare to face the Gamecocks on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

In 2022, South Carolina pulled off a stunning upset of a Tennessee team that was ranked sixth and chasing a College Football Playoff berth. Almost nobody from that Gamecock roster remains — fifth-year defensive back Peyton Williams is the only current South Carolina player who was part of it — and Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer said he mentioned the game only briefly this week, in part to note that Tennessee has not played in Columbia since then and the two teams have not met at all since 2023.

That most recent meeting went Tennessee's way, a 41-20 win at Neyland Stadium, and the Vols lead the all-time series 27-11-2. History aside, both teams arrive playing well. Tennessee is 6-1 overall and 3-1 in the SEC after rolling Alabama 26-10 last week in Knoxville, while South Carolina is 3-3 and 1-3 in league play, coming off a bye after a 38-19 win at Florida on Oct. 10 that followed three straight losses.

For Heupel, the lesson from 2022 is less about the opponent's roster than about readiness on the road. He said his players need to understand the environment they are walking into and the approach their opponent will bring, adding that when you step into a ring you had better understand your opponent and be prepared to be at your physical, mental and emotional peak.