Paul Finebaum discusses Tennessee's improving path for the College Football Playoff

Paul Finebaum saw an improving path for Tennessee to get to the College Football Playoff after the dominating 51-10 win over NC State.

The Volunteers, led by quarterback Nico Iamaleava, have been a juggernaut for two weeks. Saturday certainly garnered a lot of attention after the preseason polls showed love for the Wolfpack.

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With that type of QB play and how the schedule shakes out, Tennessee has plenty of opportunities.

“I mean, when you start hearing Nico is the best quarterback in Tennessee since Peyton (Manning), you get people’s attention,” Finebaum said on the Matt Barrie Show. “I was surprised at the ease that Tennessee ran through (NC State) last night. And Tennessee was always a dark horse, and now I think … they’re on that playoff line … Everybody’s got an interesting challenge with schedules, but they had, I think, their game against Alabama, it’s going to get overshadowed a little bit this year. 

“That sounds crazy, but it’s the same weekend as Texas-Georgia. Georgia. But it’s a playoff game, I think in many ways, because the loser of that game will have a very difficult time, especially if it’s Tennessee losing at home.”

In two games, Iamaleava has 525 yards, five touchdowns, two interceptions and a 74.5% completion percentage.

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“They’ll be on some big stages,” Finebaum said. “They’re in Norman in two weeks. And you know, Oklahoma, it’s hard to believe in them, full blown right now after that scary game last night but that’s going to be a really emotional game. Josh Heupel, for those have forgotten, led Oklahoma 24 years ago to a national championship.”

If Tennessee is all in as a team, Josh Heupel and company could be cruising towards a playoff spot.

“At the end of the day, it comes from your leadership inside your position rooms,” Heupel said. “Guys being selfless, knowing that it’s important that you celebrate the guys around you and that you pour into them. And that’s new guys coming into the building, those guys showing them what it looks like to be a Volunteer, what it looks like to be a player inside of this building. 

“Helping them grow as players out in the practice field. You see guys coaching up their teammates as much as you see coaches doing it. And it’s awesome to see the energy, comradery, chemistry, excitement that they have for the other guys in their position room.”