ESPN analyst and former Georgia linebacker David Pollack didn’t mince words when addressing Tennessee Volunteers fans. He reminded them of their program’s previous struggles before head coach Josh Heupel arrived in Knoxville. Still, while some question whether Tennessee has hit its ceiling, Pollack believes Heupel is leading them in the right direction.
David Pollack Claps Back at Tennessee Doubters and Josh Heupel Haters
The 2024 college football season was one of progress for many programs, and Tennessee was no exception. The Volunteers secured a 10-win season for the second time in three years, their best stretch since the late ’90s.
They also made history by qualifying for the College Football Playoff for the first time. However, their postseason run was short-lived after a decisive 42-17 loss to the eventual national champion Ohio State Buckeyes in the first round.
Despite these accomplishments, some Tennessee fans wondered if Heupel had truly maximized the team’s potential. Pollack fired back on his YouTube channel, “David Pollack College Football,” urging fans to remember where the program came from.
“Tennessee sucked for a long time,” Pollack said bluntly. He questioned why fans were upset about a 10-3 season when the program had endured years of mediocrity. Heupel has led Tennessee to nine or more wins in three of his four seasons, something the team hadn’t done consistently since the late ‘90s.
Pollack believes Heupel has revitalized the program and that Tennessee is trending in the right direction, even if their latest campaign ended in what many fans considered a “disappointing” season.
Pollack’s 2025 Top 5 Teams Prediction
Aside from discussing Tennessee’s progress, Pollack recently shared his early rankings for the 2025 season. He placed Clemson just outside the top four at No. 5, with Oregon at No. 3 and Ohio State at No. 2. Lastly, he gave Texas the No. 1 position.
Pollack pointed to roster turnover as the reason Ohio State didn’t retain the top spot. The Buckeyes are losing key players to the NFL, including quarterback Will Howard and star receiver Emeka Egbuka.
KEEP READING: Way-Too-Early 2025-2026 College Football Playoff Prediction
Meanwhile, Texas is turning the page to the promising Arch Manning era. Pollack believes the Longhorns, backed by strong recruiting and financial resources, have the tools to dominate in 2025.
“Texas—they still got the oil money. That didn’t go nowhere,” Pollack joked.
With the 2025 season approaching, Tennessee aims to keep climbing under Heupel. But according to Pollack, fans should appreciate how far they’ve come instead of wondering if they’ve already peaked.
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