Kirk Herbstreit Names College Football Program That Should ‘Be Grateful’
NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos...
As college football heads into Week 11 of the season, reality is starting to set in for programs around the country. While the AP Poll will still be released, this week marks the first set of College Football Playoff rankings.
Although the AP Poll doesn’t decide who is in or out, it provides a baseline for the committee should they choose to use it. One program that will likely be on the outside looking in for the rest of the season is the No. 23 Tennessee Volunteers.
Tennessee was handed a 33-27 loss on Saturday by the Oklahoma Sooners, dropping their record to 6-3 on the season, with that third loss essentially eliminating them from the playoff race based on last season. Although Tennessee wasn’t expected to be a contender after losing star quarterback Nico Iamaleava to UCLA via the transfer portal during the spring, the Vols got off to a 5-1 start to the year.
A sentiment that may have led fans to believe they were meant to contend after all, which has since led to frustrations with fifth-year head coach Josh Heupel, who is 43-18 in his tenure in Knoxville.
Something that ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit does not agree with at all as he revealed on the latest episode of the “Nonstop.”
“I heard some nonsense from Tennessee fans,” Herbstreit said. “‘Josh Heupel’s gotta go…Whoever loses has got to go.’ Man (expletive). Have you thought about where Tennessee’s football program was before Josh Heupel got there? Off the field issues, drama BS…this is a good football team that lost maybe the two best corners on one team.
“You should just be like lock Josh Heupel and his staff down for 100 years,” Herbstreit said. “You can’t win every game. You guys are heading in a great direction.”
With two manageable games against New Mexico and Florida up next, Tennessee should get to nine wins. They close the year out against No. 15 Vanderbilt, which would not only give them win No. 10, but if some craziness around the country happens, could be a win that gets them in the playoff discussion.
Related: Paul Finebaum Names Historic Program That Hurt Its Chances to Land Lane Kiffin
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
More at NCAAF College Football News, Photos, Stats, Scores, Schedule & Videos