The impending Orange Bowl trip represents the present-day success of the Tennessee Volunteers and the potential of additional opportunities down the road.
For Vols second-year coach Josh Heupel, heading to Miami for the Dec. 30 pairing against Atlantic Coast Conference champion Clemson also will serve as an emotional stroll down memory lane.
Heupel’s final performance as an Oklahoma quarterback transpired inside what is now Hard Rock Stadium on Jan. 3, 2001, when he guided the Sooners to a 13-2 triumph over Florida State in the Bowl Championship Series title game. Oklahoma entered that clash with a 12-0 record and a No. 1 ranking, but the 11-1 Seminoles were the defending national champions and 10.5-point favorites.
“It absolutely will bring back a lot of great memories,” Heupel said. “I’m really excited about having an opportunity to lead a program in this football game. This game is extremely special to me.
“Already, I’ve had teammates let me know they’ll be able to come to the ball game, guys who shared the field with me, so I’m really looking forward to this opportunity.”