re: Why do Tennessee fans think beating Northwestern was such a big deal?

I agree, Northwestern was overrated.

However, they still upset a very good Stanford team. They still finished the regular season #12 and made it to the Outback Bowl.

Tennessee fans are excited about this, not because we blew out a slightly above-average team, but because we finally looked like a sound, well-disciplined unit. We finally came together as a team in that Outback Bowl win. The puzzle pieces have all fallen into place, and the team chemistry appeared to reach a whole new level.

Regardless of how good or bad Northwestern was last year, not many teams would have routed them the way we did. Some, yes, but not many. That same team that was jiving against NW returns 17 starters and a lot of momentum coming into 2016. Additionally, we finally have experienced depth in the two-deep rotation, something we have not had in many years.