DANIA BEACH, Fla. — Tennessee’s 12 regular-season opponents had the opportunity to dedicate preparation time to Josh Heupel’s up-tempo offense during spring practice, preseason camp and the week of facing the Volunteers.
Not so for Clemson, as the Tigers were dealt just a handful of workouts leading up to Friday night’s Orange Bowl.
“We did the best that we could, but I know we didn’t get it right,” Clemson fifth-year senior defensive end K.J. Henry said Wednesday, “and that’s no knock on our guys but just a testament to how fast Tennessee is moving and the great job that they do. It has suited them well as far as the success they’ve had this year and the points they’ve been able to put up every single game.”
The Tigers were plenty impressive defensively during their 39-10 thumping of North Carolina earlier this month in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game, but the fastest team they’ve played this season, Wake Forest, gave them problems.
Clemson survived a 51-45 thriller in double overtime on Sept. 24 in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where Wake Forest racked up 447 yards and 28 first downs. Tigers first-year defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin was asked how Tennessee’s tempo compared to the Demon Deacons and quickly said the Vols are in a league of their own.