ESPN’s Paul Finebaum graduated from Tennessee nearly 50 years ago, but that’s never stopped him from being critical of the Vols.

Plenty of times over the years, the Vols have deserved his criticism (specifically the 2010s).

But things have been going pretty well for Tennessee in the Josh Heupel era, and the Vols are off to a 2-0 start this fall after a big 45-24 win over Georgia Tech this past weekend.

Paul Finebaum “really likes” Tennessee right now

Finebaum joined The Matt Barrie Show on Sunday to recap all of the action in Week 2 and he noted that he likes what he’s seen from the Volunteers so far this season.

“There might be a little something there,” said show host Matt Barrie of the Vols. “Going to Georgia Tech in Atlanta with a true freshman quarterback, I mean, we’re going to probably have to start whispering about Tennessee sometime soon.”

“We knew less about Tennessee than almost anybody (going into the season),” added Finebaum. “But I really like Tennessee right now. I think Tennessee is going to start looking ahead — calm down a little bit — but that Texas game, a noon game in two weeks, is going to be one of the biggest scenes we’ve seen in Knoxville in some time.

“I realize two years ago they went to the playoff, and they’ve beaten Alabama there (in Knoxville) — they haven’t beaten Georgia in a while — but this could be a monster game for the Volunteers. And I’m all in on it because Tennessee looks a lot better.”

(Finebaum said in May that he believed Tennessee was trending in the wrong direction, so he’s changed his tune a bit on the Vols.)

I don’t think Tennessee will look past Kennesaw State in Week 3. Former Vols running backs coach Jerry Mack is the head coach at Kennesaw State and he’s done a really good job. Tennessee shouldn’t have any issues in that game, but I think Heupel will make sure the full focus is on Kennesaw State and not Texas.

The Longhorns, by the way, will take on UTSA in Week 3 before that big showdown against the Vols on September 26 in Neyland Stadium.