Paul Finebaum Names Unexpected SEC Team That Might 'Pull It Off' This Year

Things have been going very well in Knoxville, Tenn., since Josh Heupel was named the head coach. Heupel is entering his fourth year, and in the last two years, he has led the Volunteers back into contention.

Tennessee has achieved a 20-6 record during this period and is feeling optimistic heading into the 2024 season. A major factor contributing to this optimism is redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava, who was ranked the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class.

Paul Finebaum told Berry Tramel of the Tulsa World that he really likes Tennessee in 2024 and believes the Volunteers are not receiving enough attention.

"I like a lot, and I think they're one that probably aren't getting a lot of love but could pull it off," Finebaum said. "I think that they have the opportunity with Alabama at home to, not so much steal that game since they won it two years ago, but that could be a big game."

Paul Finebaum believes that Tennessee will be on the cusp of making it to the College Football Playoff in 2024. He also expressed interest in a matchup between Tennessee and the Oklahoma Sooners, mainly because it would involve Heupel facing off against the team for which he won a national championship as a player.

That could create national intrigue and could be a crucial game for both teams in their quest to make the CFP at the end of the year.

Related: Paul Finebaum Identifies SEC Quarterback That Could Be Dominant In 2024