Paul Finebaum cautions Tennessee, reveals biggest test moving forward for Josh Heupel

SEC Network host Paul Finebaum joined Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic to break down the effects of Tennessee’s win over Alabama on Saturday and shared a word of caution for the Volunteers. Although Josh Heupel managed to topple the Crimson Tide, it’s not all smooth sailing from here.

After facing UT Martin this weekend, the Vols host a formidable Kentucky squad then travel to Athens to take on the reigning national champions.

“When you’re at the epicenter of college football in that moment on Saturday night… it’s going to ignite your program into a different universe, from a recruiting standpoint, from a branding standpoint, so I think all of that is pretty obvious,” Finebaum began. “This year is difficult. I really don’t know yet, I haven’t wrapped my arms around what the next couple of weeks look like for Tennessee, especially Kentucky and Georgia.

“How you come back from something like this is going to be a major test for Josh Heupel. Fortunately for him, they’re playing UT Martin this week instead of a top-flight SEC opponent on the road, because it would be very difficult… I think they’re in great shape, I think it’s another contender.”

If Tennessee escapes Kentucky, their matchup versus Georgia and Alabama’s Nov. 12 game versus Ole Miss could turn the SEC on its head. The Rebels are 7-0, however, their schedule is backloaded with the best teams in the West

“The West is still somewhat undetermined because of Ole Miss’s road the next few weeks,” Finebaum said.

Josh Heupel on Tennessee win: ‘This is college football at its absolute best’

After 15 long years, Tennessee fans can light their cigars. The Volunteers defeated Alabama — and Josh Heupel had an emphatic reaction after the game.

“Rocky Top, this is college football at its absolute best,” he told CBS’ Jenny Dell.

Neyland Stadium was rocking all day long as the No. 6-ranked Volunteers took on No. 3 Alabama Saturday afternoon. All 102,000 people in attendance saw a thriller as both teams traded scores all game long. But one team had to come out on top, and thanks to the leg of Chase McGrath, Tennessee fans got to celebrate.

“Our team competed 60 minutes,” Heupel said amid the field storming. “These fans were phenomenal. What an environment, man.”

The Volunteers started out hot on offense and never looked back, putting up more points than any Nick Saban opponent during his time at Alabama.

For Heupel, the second-year Tennessee head coach, he knows fans have waited a long time for a night like this.

“It’s about this team, for our former players, our fans,” Heupel said. “We know what this means.”

On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this report.