Preseason power rankings

#27
#27
FlVols said:

From ESPN​

25. Tennessee Volunteers​

2025 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC
Previous ranking: 25

Key players lost: QB Joey Aguilar, WR Chris Brazzell II, LB Arion Carter, CB Jermod McCoy, DB Andre Turrentine, DB Jalen McMurray, CB Colton Hood, CB Jermod McCoy, DL Dominic Bailey, DL Joshua Josephs
Key additions: LB Amare Campbell (Penn State), DE Chaz Coleman (Penn State), DT Xavier Gilliam (Penn State), S Dejuan Lane (Penn State), S Qua Moss (Kansas State), CB Kayin Lee (Auburn), DE/LB Jordan Norman (Tulane), S TJ Metcalf (Michigan)
2026 outlook: After a disappointing 2025 season, Volunteers coach Josh Heupel made a big move on defense by firing coordinator Tim Banks and replacing him with former Penn State coordinator Jim Knowles, who helped Ohio State win the 2024 national title. The Vols ranked 14th in the SEC in scoring defense (28.8 points) and total defense (397.2 yards) last season. Campbell, Coleman, Gilliam and Lane followed Knowles to UT and should be impact players. A Tennessee judge denied Aguilar's injunction for another year of eligibility. Heupel didn't land a big-time quarterback in the transfer portal after pursuing Ty Simpson and Sam Leavitt. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon will battle for the job in the spring.
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Key addition - Chaz Coleman - Way to be on top of things, as usual, ESPN.
 
#28
#28
IfDickeyStayed said:
In my opinion, we ought to be 8th in the SEC preseason and probably 18-23 in the first AP poll. This is, on paper, the most talented roster Heupel has had yet, with key productive position groups returning (two 800yd receivers and a 1000yd rusher). Pair that with finally having a proven DC and Strength Coach, I think people should be higher on us. Not having a QB is this team's biggest cause for concern. If we had Joey as the QB next year, I firmly believe we would be viewed as an SEC contender and a preseason top-15 team.
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it is also his youngest roster yet, 80 underclassman. Indiana won NC last year with average starting ages of 23 years old. youth hurts,,,, Will help if all starters can stay healthy all year..
 
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#29
#29
Get the drinks ready, this year might be a long one. If we can win 8 or so games and not show major flaws that can hurt us later like egregious time management or boneheaded quarterback mistakes throughout the year; I’ll be ok with that as long as our roster retention is good. I want to be excited for this season though, getting sick of the same ole, “It’s all gonna come together next year” ****
 
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#31
#31
LWSVOL said:
it is also his youngest roster yet, 80 underclassman. Indiana won NC last year with average starting ages of 23 years old. youth hurts,,,, Will help if all starters can stay healthy all year..
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Yep, this is a crucial stat since teams can get the best experienced G5 players in portal. Indiana was old in Football won it all Michigan was old in BBall won it all and UCLA womens bbaall all seniors won it all.
High ranked players with tons of experience trumps all.
 
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#32
#32
GBO2011 said:
Get the drinks ready, this year might be a long one. If we can win 8 or so games and not show major flaws that can hurt us later like egregious time management or boneheaded quarterback mistakes throughout the year; I’ll be ok with that as long as our roster retention is good. I want to be excited for this season though, getting sick of the same ole, “It’s all gonna come together next year” ****
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Along as we play competitive and play hard ,I’m good . Get me to basketball season much quicker lol
 
#38
#38
bpalmer28 said:
ESPN died to me a long time ago. The information coming out of that network is very poor.
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The website is still great, if you can access it through a computer. The phone version is lacking.

ESPN’s reporting died when they chose to promote political ideologies over fan engagement. Thank you Disney..
 
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#40
#40
Remy said:
A stout LB group which we have along with improved DC calls can cover a lot of DL deficiencies.
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Our Safety/Nickel play will be much improved this year also. They were terrible last year obviously. We brought in some real talent. I expect our defense to jump from finishing in the 80s among FBS teams into the 30s this year. We play a brutal schedule or I would say top25. We have a lot of talent now on that side of the ball...we need to stay healthy on the Dline....but our defense can be solid this year IMO. 8-4 type season most likely now. Playoffs in 2027 AND 2028. GBO
 
#41
#41
marcusluvsvols said:
Our Safety/Nickel play will be much improved this year also. They were terrible last year obviously. We brought in some real talent. I expect our defense to jump from finishing in the 80s among FBS teams into the 30s this year. We play a brutal schedule or I would say top25. We have a lot of talent now on that side of the ball...we need to stay healthy on the Dline....but our defense can be solid this year IMO. 8-4 type season most likely now. Playoffs in 2027 AND 2028. GBO
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not losing our two starting DBs in the first game will give us a boost too. Redmond turned into a good player, but if was a rough transition. lack of real support at Safety multiplied that weakness.

Imagine what our defense looks like if McCoy, Gibson, and Hood played a majority of the starting snaps, as well as getting to phase in Redmond instead of forcing him in as a starter.

QBs could get the ball out quicker, which hurts the pass rush, helps on long third downs, and just generally hurts the rest of the defense. we had to keep the safeties back to help cover, and that means they aren't there on run support, which also left Telander the last line of defense covering TEs/middle of the field.
 
#42
#42
Tennessee is fortunate enough that the pre-season rankings don't really matter. They play all the right teams. If they win, they will get all the glory they deserve. And, if they don't, who cares what someone said before the season started.
 
#44
#44
DarkVolder said:
10? Seriously that’s too low and behind Florida a team coming off a 4-8 season and Mizzou ugh. We are getting zero respect in all the preseason rankings. We will finish in the top 6 of the SEC book it!! Go Vols!!!
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what teams did last season doesn't matter with what they might do this season. Rosters have 50-60 percent turnover so its not unrealistic to got form 4-8 to 10-2. Not saying Florida will, its just an example
 
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