When former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer picked the Tennessee Volunteers as his national championship dark horse earlier this year, it raised eyebrows across the college football world. Known for his meticulous approach to evaluating programs and his no-nonsense commentary, Meyer’s praise was more than just lip service—it was a calculated endorsement rooted in what he saw as genuine potential. Now, several months into the season, with a few ups and downs already on the books for Josh Heupel’s team, the natural question arises: does Urban Meyer still believe Tennessee has what it takes to capture a national title?
Urban Meyer recently spoke candidly about his outlook on Tennessee’s title hopes in a televised segment that sent ripples through SEC circles and beyond. The short answer? Yes, he still sees them as a viable threat—though with certain caveats. His updated evaluation reflects a mix of belief in the program’s trajectory, a coach’s instinct for assessing team culture, and an acknowledgment of the brutal gauntlet that is SEC football. What Meyer emphasized wasn’t just the stat sheet or the weekly AP Polls. Instead, he pointed to something deeper: toughness, development, coaching, and momentum.
When Meyer initially made his dark horse selection, he acknowledged that Georgia and Alabama were still the class of the conference, with Michigan and Ohio State surging nationally. But what drew him to the Volunteers was their explosive offense under Heupel, the maturing of their quarterback room, and a defense that had quietly started turning the corner late last season. Meyer saw the Vols not as a sure thing, but as a team poised to leap if the right dominoes fell. And early in the season, the Volunteers delivered flashes of the brilliance he had envisioned. Their offense, although inconsistent at times, showed the kind of vertical passing and tempo pacing that can unravel even the most structured defensive units.
Now, with the season deeper into its schedule and Tennessee having suffered a few setbacks, the skepticism from fans and analysts has begun to grow louder. But Meyer, in a recent interview, doubled down on his belief in the Vols. “I still think Tennessee is built to surprise people down the stretch,” Meyer said. “It’s not about being perfect every week—it’s about being built for November football, and I think Josh Heupel has a team that’s wired that way.”
That phrase—”November football”—is telling. In Meyer’s world, championships aren’t won in September, even if they can be lost there. Teams that evolve, stay healthy, and find a rhythm in the final third of the season are the ones that make the College Football Playoff. He noted Tennessee’s depth on the offensive line, the versatility of their skill players, and the growth of their defensive secondary as positive signs. “It’s easy to write teams off after one loss in the SEC, but people forget how battle-tested these programs are. Tennessee’s been in the ring with heavyweights. They know what it takes.”
He also expressed particular optimism about quarterback development under Heupel. While many fans and pundits questioned whether Tennessee could replace a star like Hendon Hooker, Meyer viewed it differently. He saw a system that could elevate multiple quarterbacks and an offensive staff that knows how to play to their signal caller’s strengths. “They’re not asking the quarterback to do everything. They’ve got a system that creates answers,” Meyer explained. “That’s good coaching. It’s what great programs do.”
Tennessee’s defense, which had often been the Achilles’ heel in previous seasons, has become a quietly improving unit. Meyer gave credit to their front seven, especially the edge rushers, for bringing pressure without always needing to blitz. That kind of development, he said, doesn’t get enough attention. “People look at stats and rankings, but what I watch is how guys are lined up, their eyes, their body language. Are they competing every snap? Are they tackling in space? Tennessee is doing those things better than they have in years.”
Still, Meyer is realistic. He knows the path forward for Tennessee is not without landmines. They’ll need to survive a slate that includes conference rivals who know them well and have every reason to want to derail their aspirations. But this is where Meyer believes coaching comes into play. “Josh Heupel has earned the respect of that locker room. When I watch Tennessee, I see a team that believes in their coach. That’s critical when you hit adversity.”
And adversity is inevitable. Injuries, road games, emotional letdowns—all are part of the SEC experience. But for Meyer, what separates championship teams from talented pretenders is how they respond. He recalled his own championship teams at Florida and Ohio State and the moments where things nearly fell apart. “Every team I ever won a title with had a game where we looked beatable, where people doubted us. But the culture in the locker room kept it together.”
That’s why he hasn’t wavered on Tennessee. While the national media often shifts focus to whoever has the hottest start or most viral highlight, Meyer is looking for something more sustained. He’s watching the trenches. He’s watching who leads when things go wrong. He’s looking at teams who improve after a loss. “That’s the thing about college football. People forget how young these players are. Every week is a learning experience. Tennessee is a team that learns.”
Meyer also offered an interesting strategic perspective. He noted that Heupel’s offensive scheme, which relies on extreme tempo and wide receiver spacing, poses problems even for elite defenses. “It forces you to communicate at lightning speed. One bust, and it’s six points.” That kind of volatility, he explained, gives Tennessee a puncher’s chance even against more talented rosters. “In a playoff environment, when the margin is razor thin, a scheme like Tennessee’s can flip a game in two plays.”
Another factor Meyer believes works in Tennessee’s favor is the rise of parity in college football. With the transfer portal and NIL shifting the balance of power slightly away from the traditional blue bloods, teams like Tennessee, who have embraced player development and portal efficiency, can close the gap quicker than in the past. “You don’t need to wait five years anymore,” he said. “You can reload fast, and Tennessee’s done a good job identifying guys who fit their system.”
There is also an element of culture-building that Meyer sees flourishing in Knoxville. Heupel has brought stability, positivity, and a sense of identity that had been missing since the end of the Phillip Fulmer era. “It’s not just that they’re winning more games,” Meyer said. “It’s that they look like they know who they are again. That matters.”
When asked point-blank whether he still thinks Tennessee can win it all this year, Meyer didn’t hesitate. “Yes. Absolutely. Are they the favorite? No. But can they get there and shock the world? 100 percent.” He was quick to add that winning a national title is not just about talent or even coaching—it’s about timing. “You’ve got to be peaking in December. That’s when it matters.”
Meyer’s comments are a refreshing contrast to the often reactionary nature of college football analysis. While the conversation around Tennessee has swung dramatically from preseason optimism to midseason doubt, Meyer’s stance reflects a deeper understanding of what winning football looks like. And perhaps that’s what makes his continued faith in Tennessee so compelling. He’s not offering hot takes. He’s offering football truth.
