Fox Sports host Colin Cowherd stirred up some discussion on Wednesday by boldly predicting that the Tennessee Vols will win the national championship in 2024.
“I’m gonna call it right now—Tennessee is gonna win the national championship,” Cowherd declared. “I said before the Oklahoma game that Oklahoma wasn’t going to score. Tennessee’s got the best defense in college football, an excellent coach, and explosive offense. I think Tennessee’s the best team I’ve seen.”
"I'm gonna call it right now. Tennessee is gonna win the national championship." – Colin Cowherd pic.twitter.com/VEyXA8HNhu
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 25, 2024
However, Oklahoma radio host Tyler McComas, the voice of *The Rush* on Sports Talk 1400, wasn’t convinced. During his Wednesday show, McComas pushed back against the idea that Tennessee would go all the way and even argued that Oklahoma’s defense outperformed Tennessee’s in their recent matchup.
“I think Tennessee is going to make the College Football Playoff,” said McComas, “but I don’t think they’re winning the national championship. Colin said Tennessee has the best defense in the country. I don’t even think they had the best defense on the field on Saturday.”
McComas added, “The Oklahoma defense was better than Tennessee’s defense. I think Oklahoma’s defense *is* better than Tennessee’s. Tennessee’s defense is good enough to do special things, but I don’t see them winning it all this year. Maybe in Nico’s [Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava] second or third year, but not right now.”
While it’s always entertaining to hear bold predictions, it might be a little early for anyone—whether it’s Cowherd or McComas—to make definitive claims about the national championship. The season is still in its early stages, and while Tennessee looks like a legitimate contender, there’s a long road ahead. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, more than anyone, knows there’s still plenty left to prove, and that’s the case for all the major contenders in college football.
As for McComas’ comments regarding Tennessee’s defense, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Oklahoma’s defense certainly played well in the Vols’ 25-15 win in Norman, creating challenges for Tennessee’s offense.
However, Tennessee still managed to finish with 345 total yards, while Oklahoma had just 222. If it weren’t for some costly penalties that extended a few Oklahoma drives, the margin in total yardage might have been even more lopsided.
It’s understandable that McComas would want to defend his Sooners, but claiming Oklahoma’s defense was superior after a game in which the Sooners were held to just 15 points at home seems like a stretch. Perhaps it’s just his way of coping with the loss.
