The Tennessee Volunteers improved to 8-1 Saturday night with their 33-14 victory over Mississippi State. Tennessee did a lot of good things in the game as well. They controlled the clock, scored in the first quarter for the first time since September, and the defense was good as always. Clearly the biggest storyline coming out of the game is Nico’s health moving forward and if he will be able to go next week as the Vols head down to Athens, but these are the other big things that stood out to me in Saturday’s contest.

BOOOOOOOOOO

Boo Carter has been solid all year as a true freshman nickel, but Saturday night it looked like it really clicked for him. He got his first career INT, had multiple good punt returns, and looked like Eric Berry with some of the hits he was making. Boo is already a fan favorite and if he continues this level of play, he could reach legend territory.

Dylan Sampson for Heisman?

Dylan Sampson is putting together one of the best seasons a Tennessee running back has ever had. He already holds the single season TD record at Tennessee and Saturday night he scored his 20th which only 9 other SEC players have ever done in a single season. Furthermore he still has 4 games minimum remaining in this season. The only concern with Sampson is his status moving forward as he left the game for a while with an injury but did return in the 2nd half to put up his gaudy stat line of 30 Carries for 149 yards and a TD. 

“Talk about Redemption!!”

Max Gilbert was not a popular person in the eyes of Vol nation in the last 2 weeks. Having missed 5 of his last 6 kicks coming into the game many people were wondering where he stood confidence wise and if he could turn it around. Well now we have our answer. Max Gilbert went 4-4 and made a career long Field goal early in the 2nd half. It was a crucial 12 points in what ended up being a 19-point win and moving forward I think we can rely on the true freshman to be effective moving forward. P.S. I love you Max. 

The Vols now sit at #6 in the latest AP poll but will be facing their biggest test of the year next week as they take the trip down to Athens to play what will be a desperate Georgia team. Tennessee will need to bring their A-game in what will be the biggest SEC game next weekend.