Paul Finebaum Shoots Down Tennessee Football Playoff Hopes at SEC Media Days
Appearing on SEC Network during SEC Media Days on Wednesday, the longtime college football analyst was asked if the Volunteers will return to the College Football Playoff this season.
His response left little room for interpretation.
"I love fiction, and that is absolutely fiction," Finebaum said. "Tennessee is not making it back to the playoff. They lost Nico [Iamaleava]. They have Joey Aguilar, who went to App State, transferred to UCLA and then to Tennessee, all in what seemed like about half an hour. Tennessee will be good, but they're not good enough to make the playoff."
Iamaleava, a former five-star quarterback and Citrus Bowl MVP, transferred to UCLA this past spring, leaving Tennessee with a major void under center.
Joey Aguilar, who threw for over 3,700 yards at App State in 2023, eventually landed in Knoxville after a brief offseason stop at UCLA.
While Aguilar brings experience, Finebaum isn't convinced the Vols can reload fast enough to contend again at the national level.
Finebaum's skepticism is rooted in more than just the quarterback change. Tennessee is facing significant roster turnover this fall, with at least 15 former Vols now playing for other Power Four programs.
Many of those departures will step into major roles elsewhere, and while Josh Heupel's team returns a strong defensive core, the offensive side tells a different story.
Tennessee enters 2025 coming off a 10-win season and a top-12 finish under head coach Josh Heupel.
Related: Tennessee Football Preview 2025: Can the Vols Be in the College Football Playoff Hunt After Transfer Losses?
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