Paul Finebaum Admits He’s “Not Sold” on Tennessee Volunteers and Reveals Why He’s “Not Crazy” About Their Chances Heading Into the 2025 College Football Season.
Paul Finebaum, one of college football’s most outspoken voices and a longtime SEC analyst, made waves recently with his pointed remarks regarding the Tennessee Volunteers heading into the 2025 season. While optimism continues to build in Knoxville under the leadership of head coach Josh Heupel, Finebaum is tapping the brakes. In a candid assessment on his show and during appearances on ESPN platforms, Finebaum revealed that he is “not crazy” about Tennessee this year, questioning whether the Volunteers can truly ascend into elite SEC contention amid a loaded field of competition.
Finebaum’s doubts aren’t rooted in malice—rather, they’re based on a pragmatic evaluation of the SEC landscape, Tennessee’s roster questions, and the increasing pressure on Heupel to deliver tangible postseason results. “I like what Heupel’s doing with the program, don’t get me wrong,” Finebaum said during one segment. “But I’m not going to pretend that I’m sold on this team being ready to take that next step. There are too many unknowns, especially at quarterback, and frankly, I’m not crazy about the direction they seem to be heading compared to some of the other top programs in the league.”
That statement hit a nerve with many Tennessee fans, who see 2025 as a critical juncture for the Volunteers. After a breakthrough 2022 season that saw the team finish 11–2 and briefly climb to No. 1 in the College Football Playoff rankings, expectations have remained elevated in Knoxville. However, the Volunteers have since plateaued, posting a 9–4 record in 2023 and 8–5 in 2024. While still respectable, those numbers fall short of what fans and alumni were hoping for under Heupel’s high-octane system. The narrative around the program now centers on whether Tennessee can reclaim its upward trajectory—or whether they’ve hit a ceiling in a rapidly evolving SEC.
One of Finebaum’s primary concerns centers on Tennessee’s unsettled quarterback situation. With Joe Milton’s eligibility expired and Nico Iamaleava still inconsistent despite flashes of brilliance, the offense remains a question mark. Iamaleava, a former five-star recruit who was touted as the future of the program, showed promise in limited action, including an MVP performance in the Citrus Bowl two years ago. But his inconsistency in the 2024 season left many wondering if he’s ready to carry the full weight of the offense against top-tier SEC defenses.
Finebaum didn’t mince words when asked about Iamaleava’s readiness. “He’s talented, absolutely,” he said. “But talent only goes so far when you’re facing Georgia’s defense or trying to out-duel Texas in a shootout. We’ve seen quarterbacks with big reputations fail before when the lights come on. Nico has to prove he’s not just a YouTube highlight but a true SEC-caliber leader. Until then, I’m not putting Tennessee in that upper tier.”
Offensive line play also looms large in Finebaum’s assessment. The Volunteers’ front five struggled at times last season, particularly in key SEC matchups where they were overmatched physically. The lack of consistent pass protection often forced Iamaleava into rushed decisions, stalling drives and limiting Heupel’s normally explosive attack. While Tennessee did address some of these issues via the transfer portal, Finebaum remains skeptical that those changes will yield immediate results. “I keep hearing how improved the line will be,” he noted. “But improvement on paper isn’t enough. They need to dominate in the trenches if they want to compete with the Georgias and Alabamas of the world.”
Defensively, Tennessee has shown signs of progress under defensive coordinator Tim Banks, but Finebaum questioned whether the unit is consistent enough to keep the Vols in tight games when the offense sputters. The 2024 defense ranked in the middle of the pack in most major SEC categories, showing flashes of greatness but also moments of breakdown in coverage and tackling. The secondary, in particular, was a liability in several losses. “The SEC is no longer a league where you can win just with offense,” Finebaum warned. “You need a defense that can make stops late in the fourth quarter. Right now, I don’t trust Tennessee to do that week after week.”
Finebaum also cited the brutal SEC schedule as a major roadblock to Tennessee’s hopes. With Texas and Oklahoma officially joining the league in 2025 and the removal of divisions, the competition level has never been higher. Tennessee is set to face a gauntlet that includes road trips to Alabama and Oklahoma, as well as home games against Florida and Georgia. There is little margin for error, and Finebaum doesn’t believe Tennessee is built for that kind of sustained grind. “They’re going to get hit early and often,” he said. “And we’ll find out quickly whether they’re pretenders or contenders.”
Some might argue that Finebaum’s criticism is overly harsh or premature, especially given Tennessee’s recent recruiting momentum. The Volunteers landed several blue-chip recruits in the 2024 and 2025 classes, and the addition of standout transfers has infused the roster with new energy. But Finebaum counters that talent acquisition is only part of the equation. Development and execution under pressure are what ultimately separate playoff contenders from also-rans. “Look, I give Heupel credit for recruiting well,” he said. “But you’ve got to turn that into wins that matter. Winning the transfer portal battle doesn’t mean much if you’re losing the SEC East—or whatever we call it now—with three or four losses.”
Heupel’s coaching seat isn’t hot by traditional standards, but the pressure is undeniably building. Fans have embraced his offensive philosophy and appreciate the return of excitement to Neyland Stadium. Still, expectations are no longer theoretical—they are tied to concrete goals like reaching the SEC title game or making the expanded College Football Playoff. Anything short of that will be viewed as regression or stagnation. Finebaum believes that Heupel still has time but must show he can take the next step. “At some point, it’s not enough to just be entertaining. Tennessee needs to be relevant in December and January. That’s the only metric that matters now.”
Perhaps the most frustrating aspect for Tennessee supporters is the sense that the window may be closing—or at least narrowing. With Georgia still dominating, Alabama reloading under Kalen DeBoer, and new powers like Texas and LSU surging, the SEC is unforgiving. Even South Carolina and Kentucky have improved their programs and are no longer guaranteed wins. That reality leaves Tennessee fighting not just to break through, but to survive.
Finebaum also pointed to intangible concerns—team chemistry, locker room leadership, and consistency in preparation—as X-factors that often make or break seasons. “Every team in the SEC has talent,” he said. “The ones that rise are the ones that stay disciplined, that have strong leaders in the locker room, and that don’t get too high after a win or too low after a loss. I’m not sure Tennessee has that identity right now.”
Despite his critiques, Finebaum stopped short of writing off Tennessee altogether. He acknowledged that the program is on solid footing and has the infrastructure to succeed. Neyland Stadium remains one of the most intimidating venues in college football, and the fan base is among the most passionate in the nation. If Iamaleava matures quickly and the defense takes a leap, Tennessee could absolutely be a factor in the playoff race. But until those things happen, Finebaum is urging caution.
“I don’t root against Tennessee,” he clarified. “I think college football is better when the Volunteers are good. But I have to call it like I see it, and right now, I see a team with more questions than answers. I’m not saying they can’t surprise me—but they’re going to have to prove it.”
As the 2025 season draws closer, all eyes will be on Knoxville. Will Josh Heupel and the Volunteers silence the critics and return to the national spotlight? Or will Finebaum’s skepticism prove prescient? One thing is clear: Tennessee is no longer flying under the radar, and with great attention comes even greater scrutiny. For now, at least, the SEC’s resident truth-teller has sounded the alarm—and the Volunteers are officially on notice.
