The national media refuses to admit it, but Tennessee's win over Mississippi State proved the Vols are a championship caliber team

Vols wide receiver Chris Brazzell's catch on fourth down with five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter was one of the biggest plays of the game. The throw wasn't perfect, but Brazzell caught the pass with his finger tips and secured the first down.

A couple of plays later, Aguilar connected with wide receiver Mike Matthews for a 17 yard gain that pushed the ball deep into Mississippi State territory.

Then, on third-and-six, Aguilar was forced from the pocket thanks to pressure from the Bulldogs. Wide receiver Braylon Staley came back to the ball and caught the pass from Aguilar just short of the first down marker. Staley, though, battled through contact to gain the first down. It was an incredible effort from Staley (who hadn't had a great game before that play).

The next play was a game-tying touchdown run from Aguilar that featured a key block from true freshman tight end Jack Van Dorselaer.

In the middle of that drive, right tackle Jesse Perry went down with an injury, which forced true freshman David Sanders Jr, who was making his college debut, into the game. Sanders had a false start on the drive -- which isn't a big deal, every offensive lineman that has played football is going to false start at some point -- but he otherwise played terrific in the most important moments of the game.

After the Vols scored, there were just under two minutes remaining in the game. Tennessee's defense held strong, quickly forcing a three-and-out (Vols defensive lineman Bryson Eason made a play that won't show up in the box score -- a key quarterback pressure on first down that forced an incomplete pass -- that set the tone for the final defensive stand in regulation).

In overtime, the Vols simply handled business. Running back DeSean Bishop had an incredible effort on his touchdown run on the first play in overtime (aided by another key block from Van Dorselaer). And then the defense put on a clinic via a goal line stand to win the game (the Vols nearly came up with an interception on the play that got Mississippi State into the red zone).

Tennessee didn't play its best game. Mississippi State made things tough all afternoon. The Bulldogs made some mistakes, too. But they played hard, and they executed well (especially in the run game, where Mississippi State won quite a few matchups up front). You gotta give credit to Mississippi State -- they made some big plays (those guys are getting paid, too...they're gonna make some plays). But the Vols never quit competing. And with the game on the line, Tennessee's best players showed up and won the game.

That's the sign of a championship team. It's not always going to be perfect -- especially in the road in the SEC. Elite teams, though, find a way to win ugly games.

I don't know what this season holds for Tennessee. College football is as competitive as ever. There are going to be championship caliber teams that lose games this season that they shouldn't lose. There are going to be upsets. Maybe Tennessee is on the wrong side of one of those games later this season, or maybe they get through the rest of the schedule unscathed. We'll see how it plays out.

But what I saw from Tennessee on Saturday night in Starkville is a team with championship level competitiveness and resolve. A team that doesn't quit. A team that stays calm when things are going awry. And a team with players that can put bad plays aside and step up when the lights are the brightest.

The national media won't have the same take, but they're the ones missing the story -- this Tennessee team is really good. And if they stay healthy, they have a chance to play in some really big games later this winter.

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