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Former Alabama QB thinks Tennessee can be a 'problem' if these 2 things happen

Will Tennessee be able to prove its doubters wrong?
ByBraulio Perez|
Sep 19, 2024; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar (4) throws a pass over South Alabama Jaguars linebacker Aakil Washington (10) during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images
Sep 19, 2024; Boone, North Carolina, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers quarterback Joey Aguilar (4) throws a pass over South Alabama Jaguars linebacker Aakil Washington (10) during the second half at Kidd Brewer Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

Soon enough, we're going to find out just what the Tennessee football team is made of. After reaching the College Football Playoff in 2024 and posting 10 wins, the expectations remain high for this program and head coach Josh Heupel.

At the same time, plenty of people aren't giving the Vols much of a chance to make noise this campaign. The loss of Nico Iamaleava to the transfer portal and UCLA still has a lot of people talking. However, Greg McElroy isn't buying into the doubt surrounding the team.

While speaking on the Always College Football Podcast, McElroy didn't hesitate in saying that Tennessee can be a scary squad moving forward. In order for that to happen, though, Joey Aguilar will need to be at his best (assuming he wins the starting job) and the offensive line will need to come together:

Greg McElroy is confident Tennessee football will be able to make noise this season

"If they can adequately replace the pieces lost along the offensive line and Joey Aguilar can look like he did in '23 as opposed to '24, this team will remain a problem in the Southeastern Conference," McElroy said.

Obviously the offensive line, which will now feature 5-star freshman David Sanders Jr. at right tackle, is going to be a huge piece of things. The same can be said about the quarterback spot, with everyone wondering who Heupel will have lead out the offense onto the field for Week 1.

McElroy seems to think that Aguilar is going to win the job and it's hard not to agree with him. As he noted, though, if Aguilar does become the starter, he's going to have to play the way he did in 2023 for Tennessee to have a shot at getting back to the CFP.

That fall for App State, the 6-3, 220-pounder tossed for 3,757 yards, 33 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Yeah, talk about an unreal season for him. However, Aguilar took a bit of a step back in 2024, throwing for 3,003 yards, 23 touchdowns and a concerning 14 INTs.

The turnovers are something that he and Heupel are definitely going to focus on cleaning up moving forward. Recently, Tennessee was projected to finish ninth in the SEC this year, which serves as motivation. It's good to know analysts like McElroy still think it can be a campaign to remember for the boys in Knoxville. Soon enough, we'll see if the Vols can prove him right.

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