Greg McElroy Welcomes Historic Program Back to Top of College Football

The Miami Hurricanes and Tennessee Volunteers are two historic programs attempting to get back to the level that they were at during the 90s and early 2000s. Miami last competed for an ACC title in 2017, and Tennessee has not been to the SEC Championship since 2007.

Both programs are off to 2-0 starts in 2024. Greg McElroy discussed Tennessee in a recent edition of "Always College Football." The Volunteers have handled business through two games against Chattanooga and the NC State Wolfpack.

McElroy noted that most of the talk about Tennessee concerned the potential for better quarterback play with Nico Iamaleava. However, McElroy credited the defense for being even better than expected.

"Welcome back to the top of the sport, Tennessee," McElroy said. "When we sat here after media days and throughout the summer, and we talked about Tennessee, much of the conversation surrounded improved play at quarterback. But this defense, guys, was every bit as good, if not better, than the significant praise that we heaped on them here in the offseason."

The Volunteers' defense held NC State to 143 total offensive yards. Tennessee shut down the Wolfpack running game, limiting them to 43 rushing yards. The defense forced two fumbles and one pick-six in the 51-10 win.

The defense returned players like defensive end James Pearce Jr. and cornerback Ricky Gibson III. The Volunteers added players like former Oregon State Beavers corner Jermod McCoy, former Stanford Cardinal defensive lineman Jaxson Moi, former Towson corner Andre Stewart, former Temple Owls corner Jalen McMurray, and former Memphis Tigers safety Jakobe Thomas from the transfer portal.

Tennessee faces the Kent State Golden Flashes on Sept. 14 in Knoxville before its first SEC test against the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 21.

Related: Greg McElroy Calls One Unlikely Team a National Championship Contender After Week 1