Can Heupel’s clothing choice predict a Vols win? Data says yes.

Caleb Wethington and Gregory Raucoules

2 years ago

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel talks on his headset during the second half of an NCAA college football game against South Alabama Saturday, Nov. 20, 2021, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Volunteers finished the regular season with seven wins and five losses in year one of the Josh Heupel era. Huepel is notoriously vague when it comes to speaking at press conferences, leaving Vols fans to analyze each detail for clues or indications of deeper meaning.

So, we wondered about the most obvious of clues. Could data about what Heupel wore during his weekly press conference somehow indicate how the Vols would fare in the game that week? Turns out, it does.

Tennessee won all six games they played in after Heupel wore gray or white to his Monday press conference. While the dark mode uniforms proved to be a hit with players and fans, the Vols won just one of four games after their head coach sported black to the Monday press availability. As for what Huepel’s suit and tie appearance ahead of the 2021 Music City Bowl will mean is yet to be determined. Stay tuned.