On Wednesday’s airing of “The Joel Klatt Show,” Fox Sports college football analyst Joel Klatt revealed that the Tennessee Volunteers are the college football program that has impressed him the most through two games this season. In his assessment, Klatt specifically pointed to redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava’s impressive play as a major contributor to his opinion of the Vols, saying his performance appeared to have answered his concern about the quarterback position.

“And so the question for me was about Nico Iamaleava,” Klatt said. “I know that he threw a couple of picks against North Carolina State, but this kid looks legit. All the hype surrounding everything that we know about his NIL and recruitment and all that… It, at times, was a bit of a sideshow, but this guy is a really good player. Almost 75% completion percentage. Five touchdowns, two interceptions on the season.” Klatt added that the play of Iamaleava has allowed, in his opinion, the Vols to resemble their 2022 form and labeled them as one of the better teams in the SEC.

“They are now more along the lines of the 2022 version of Tennessee…,” Klatt added. “Which means that this team is, at least I think right now, one of the better teams in the SEC.”

Klatt continued by stating that the nation will be able to know for sure whether the Vols are one of the nation’s elite teams when they visit the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 21. He mentioned that clash with the Sooners being the first conference opponent for the Vols, it would be the best tool to gauge whether Tennessee could be a possible contender for the SEC Championship game and perhaps a playoff appearance.

“And so when will we know for sure…?” Klatt added. “I think that the date is September 21st at Oklahoma. That’s the date that we’re going to know for sure… If they play well in that game, then I don’t think an SEC Championship game and a playoff appearance is out of the question.” Klatt finished by reaffirming his confidence in Tennessee, but also cautioned that the nation will truly be able to solidify their expectations following the Vols’ Sept. 21 game against Oklahoma. “I’m in on Tennessee right now,” Klatt concluded. “I think that they’re a very good football team. We’re going to know for sure on September 21st against Oklahoma. ”