Tennessee is coming off of its best performance of the season, as it blistered Missouri on the road last Saturday, 62-24.

The Volunteers jumped out to a 28-3 lead after the first quarter and never looked back in improving to 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the SEC.

Fast starts have been the norm for Tennessee in 2021, as the Volunteers have outscored their 5 opponents by a combined 73-13 in the first quarter.

During the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday, Vols head coach Josh Heupel was asked about his team’s ability to start games quickly.

“When it’s going good, guys are doing their jobs,” Heupel said. “That’s offense and defense. … That, as much as anything, plays a part in how you start or how you finish.

“… In this football game coming up, the start will be important, too.”

Heupel, of course, was talking about Saturday’s home game with South Carolina, which will kickoff at noon EST and be televised by the SEC Network.