An ESPN reporter’s latest ranking of CFB coaches has sparked pure chaos online. Fans are livid. Why not? Shared by CFB Alerts on X, the list completely left coaches like Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman out of the top 30. This snub sent Irish fans into a frenzy, flooding the comments with outrage and even demanding the reporter be fired for what they saw as a blatant slap in the face to Freeman. But there may be another fanbase equally angry at this ranking.

ESPN’s Bill Connelly has sparked another firestorm. This time taking aim at Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel. And his bold claim? The 2025 Vols might have “their best defense and worst offense yet in the Heupel era.” That one line was enough to send Vol Nation into meltdown mode. By July 28, FOX Sports Knoxville reported that Connelly was under heavy fire, with fans blasting the take and fiercely defending their HC. And why not?

Here’s the thing, Tennessee’s offense was pure fireworks in 2024. Lighting up the scoreboard with 35.7 points per game under Josh Heupel’s fast-paced system. And the ground game was unstoppable, churning out 226.3 rushing yards a night, fueled by Dylan Sampson’s monster season of 1,491 yards, earning him SEC Offensive Player of the Year honors. Now, the Vols bring back key playmakers in DeSean Bishop, Peyton Lewis, and tight end Miles Kitselman, keeping the attack dangerous heading into 2025. But there’s a shake-up under center.

Yes, Nico Iamaleava’s sudden exit has the QB1 spot wide open, with Jake Merklinger and freshman George MacIntyre battling for control. But hold on, the Vols already have a proven weapon under center in Joey Aguilar, bringing experience and stability to the QB room. On top of that, the offensive line is also getting a facelift, with big additions like Wendell Moe Jr., Sam Pendleton, and 5-star phenom David Sanders ready to step in. So, changes are coming, but make no mistake. This Tennessee offense still has the firepower to torch defenses. So, does Bill Connelly’s hot take really hold any weight?

Well, Connelly believes Josh Heupel’s Tennessee offense for 2025 faces a cloud of uncertainty after one dramatic twist. The surprise spring exit of QB Iamaleava. Sure, the Vols moved fast, landing UCLA transfer Joey Aguilar to take command. But learning a new system doesn’t happen overnight. And according to Bill, that adjustment period could spell trouble early in the season. But the Vols Nation isn’t buying it. Supporters used social media to rebut the statement, eager to prove the naysayers wrong.

To defend Josh Heupel, fans go wild

Bill Connelly’s latest hot take on Josh Heupel’s offense being “the worst” isn’t sitting well, and fans are calling him out for contradicting himself. As FOX Sports Knoxville pointed out, Connelly recently ranked Heupel as the second-best coach in CFB, yet now questions his 2025 attack. So, the backlash was instant. And one fan fired off, stating, “Never heard of him.” While another fan page clapped back, writing, “Still scores 30+ a game.” So, the debate is heating up, and Connelly’s words have only added fuel to the fire in Vol Nation.

Following that, one fan went straight at Bill Connelly, saying, “Did he watch any games last year? lol.” Another doubled down, stating, “Tenn will average roughly 40 points per game this season.” And echoing the same energy, a Vols supporter added, “This could turn out to be his best group of receivers, but they may not produce to that level this soon.” Now, with a stacked WR room featuring Mike Matthews, Braylon Staley, Dont’e Thornton Jr., and Nathan Leacock, the firepower is there. And, Vol Nation believes this offense can light up the scoreboard. That’s why they’re not letting the ESPN take say otherwise.

Here, one fan took a shot at the rivalry angle, saying, “A Mizzou homer hating on Tennessee… that’s original. He has no clue what he’s talking about. This offense will be fine.” Lastly, another diehard didn’t hold back and said, “Fire Bill Connelly. Dude DOES NOT KNOW BALL.” So, Vol Nation made one thing clear. Doubting Josh Heupel’s offense is a bad idea, and they’re more than ready to defend it.