Paul Finebaum isn’t buying Tennessee as a national title threat.
That was the message when the ESPN voice was asked on “The Paul Finebaum Show” whether his alma mater could emerge as a dark horse contender in the SEC. Finebaum didn’t leave much room for interpretation.
"Dark horse is really complicated," Finebaum said. "I don't see someone coming from the back.
I know a lot of my friends are telling me it could be Alabama. I do not think it will be Tennessee.
There's too much to overcome for Tennessee to get in play for a national championship."
The skepticism lands at a moment when Josh Heupel’s program still has plenty to sell. Since arriving after Tennessee’s 3-7 season in 2020, Heupel has pushed the Volunteers forward in clear steps: 7-6 in his first year, then 11-2 in Year 2, then 10-3 two seasons later with the first College Football Playoff berth in school history.
But the momentum hit a wall in 2025. Just days before the spring game, star quarterback Nico Iamaleava transferred to the UCLA Bruins, and Tennessee finished 8-5. Now the Volunteers head into this season with real uncertainty under center.
Five-star true freshman Faizon Brandon won the quarterback job, and the excitement around him is obvious. He brings promise and athletic ability, but not much experience, which makes his development the biggest swing factor for Tennessee’s ceiling.
There’s also help coming on defense. Tennessee brought in Jim Knowles, one of the best defensive minds in college football, after he coordinated Ohio State’s championship defense in 2024. The hope is that he can lift the Volunteers back into the top 10 on that side of the ball.
Even with that staff move and a schedule that gives Tennessee several of its biggest games at home, Finebaum still isn’t convinced the pieces add up to a true national championship run.
That view could age badly if Brandon grows quickly and the defense clicks sooner rather than later. If not, Tennessee may simply be trying to claw its way back into the College Football Playoff conversation.
The upside is real. Whether it’s enough to make Tennessee a contender is the question 2026 is set to answer.
In Other News...
Former Tennessee Transfers Are Turning Up In Some Awkward Places
When Tennessee turned over so much of its roster through the portal, the next step was always going to be seeing where all those former Volunteers landed. A sizable chunk stayed in the Power Four, and a notable number remained in the SEC, which is part of what makes the offseason so oddly familiar around Knoxville. The programs departures are scattered across the country now, and for Tennessee fans, the connections do not disappear just because the jerseys changed.
Peyton Lewis added another layer to that familiar feeling by showing up in a Week Zero game for Virginia, a reminder that the portal rarely keeps old ties at a distance for long. For Tennessee, the broader picture is bigger than any single move, with former players popping up in places that can feel a little awkward when the new season starts and old opponents suddenly include faces that once wore orange. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Has A Huge Recruiting Opportunity This Weekend
Tennessee is turning a football weekend into a full-court recruiting showcase, with the mens basketball staff set to host several elite prospects on official visits while the Vols have the campus spotlight. Among the visitors are five-star point guard Cayden Daughtry and four-star point guard Micah Gordon from the 2027 class, along with five-star forward Bentley Lusakueno from the 2028 class, giving Rick Barnes and his staff a chance to put the program in front of some of the nations most intriguing young talents.
The timing matters because these trips line up with football game weekends, when Knoxville is at its liveliest and the athletic department can lean into the atmosphere. Tennessee is not the only program trying to make an impression, but the Vols will also have the Lady Vols welcoming five-star point guard Cece Dennis, adding another notable recruiting stop to what could be a busy and important stretch for the school across both programs. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Is Already Chasing A Massive Lineman For Its Future
Tennessee is already looking well down the road in its offensive line recruiting, and the latest name on the board is Rex George-Taylor, a 2028 prospect from Darlington, Ga. The Volunteers extended a scholarship offer to the towering junior, who checks in at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, adding him to a growing early list that also includes offers from Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Connecticut.
George-Taylors reaction to the Tennessee offer was part of the story, but the bigger takeaway for Vols fans is how aggressively the staff is approaching future line prospects this far out. Recruiting for players still years away from signing day is all about getting in early and staying present, and Tennessee appears to have done just that, with more developments expected as his recruitment continues to build. [Read more 🡒]