Josh Heupel provides keys to the game moments before Tennessee-Georgia showdown

No. 1 Tennessee and No. 3 Georgia are underway in Sanford Stadium, with the SEC East on the line and undefeated records at stake. CBS’ broadcast crew caught up with both coaches ahead of the game and provided Josh Heupel‘s keys to the game.

For him, it’s all about surviving the crazy environment.

“You’ve got to be smart, you’ve got to handle the emotion of the ballgame early and you’ve got to compete for 60 minutes, one play at a time,” Heupel told CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell.

Tennessee enters the game as an 8.5-point underdog, with the defending national champion Georgia Bulldogs looking to defend their crowd as reigning SEC East champions.

The Volunteers, though, enter the game as the top-ranked team in the first iteration of the College Football Playoff rankings, which debuted on Tuesday night. Georgia checked in at No. 3, behind Ohio State at No. 2.

Of course, this week’s games are likely to change the rankings up quite a bit, with some marquee games on tap across the college football landscape.

Josh Heupel’s keys to the game a point of emphasis

Suffice it to say Josh Heupel’s keys to the game have been stressed to his team and his staff all week.

Sometimes, though, the gameplan that coaches spend hours and hours creating, poring over and installing is out the window after one drive. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel said that the ability to adjust quickly is huge to put players in successful positions.

It can’t always happen immediately and coaches are loathe to overcorrect and get gashed in a different way. But Heupel and his staff know the value of being able to relay information quickly, process it and make a decision.

“The communication, being able to adjust quickly within a drive or certainly after a drive and at halftime,” Heupel said. “It’s a huge part of putting our kids in, hopefully, the best position to be successful.”

Georgia’s first drive?

It ended in a fumble by running back Daijun Edwards, recovered by Tennessee. So far, so good for Heupel and his squad.