2025 CFB Team SP+ Rankings

[Freak]

Thoughts? Too high, too low, or about right?

8. Tennessee Volunteers — 21.3​

Outside of a lopsided first-round exit at the hands of eventual champ Ohio State, the Volunteers put together a strong 2024 despite some inconsistent play from quarterback Nico Iamaleava in his first full years as Tennessee’s starting QB.


Still, Iamaleava is expected to be in the Heisman Trophy conversation in Year 2 as the Vols’ QB1, especially if the rebuilt offensive line comes together as hoped. Tennessee will certainly miss likely first-round pick James Pearce Jr. off the edge, but with 2024 leading tackler Arion Carter returning, the Vols defense will be in good hands in 2025.

 

[SpookyAction]

Unknown factors at OLine, RB, WR, and secondary make me consider that ranking to be optimistic.

 

[Freak]

Unknown factors at OLine, RB, WR, and secondary make me consider that ranking to be optimistic.

I've felt like our SP+ ratings have always been a bit on the optimistic side.

 

[LivinginthePast]

Who knows. Can Tony Vitello coach football? Lol joke. I think it will come down to if Nico has improved play. And if our defense can still stay at least the way they were last year. Tim Banks coming back is a plus. We have potential.

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

If Alabama is #2 and Penn State is #3, then we're too low.

All these rankings tell me is 2025 is a year of uncertainty. Lots of young players will be playing for the first time for most elite teams. So it'll be about who hit on recruiting more than anything else. In 2021 Georgia had very little in returning production but ended up dominating for the next two years because their 2019 and 2020 recruiting classes hit.