As the Tennessee Volunteers prepare for the 2025 college football season, expectations are high following another successful season under head coach Josh Heupel. Heading into his fifth year with the program, Heupel has established himself as a coach capable of turning Tennessee into a competitive force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With a 37-15 overall record (20-12 in the SEC) since taking the helm in 2021, Heupel has breathed new life into the Vols’ program, and the 2025 season promises to be another exciting chapter.
After the 2024 season, in which Tennessee made its second-ever College Football Playoff appearance, there is renewed optimism for the Vols. However, with challenging SEC games on the horizon, including showdowns with rivals Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, the Vols’ journey in 2025 will be anything but easy.
2025 Tennessee Football Schedule
Tennessee’s 2025 season will feature a mix of conference games and nonconference matchups, and Vols fans will be eagerly anticipating each one. Here’s a way-too-early prediction for how Tennessee’s season might unfold, starting with the nonconference games and moving into the tougher SEC battles.
Week 1 – Syracuse (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia)
Tennessee kicks off its 2025 season in Atlanta, Georgia, facing Syracuse in a neutral-site game. Syracuse, while competitive in the ACC, has not been able to consistently challenge top-tier SEC teams in recent years. With the Vols coming off a strong 2024 season and expecting to have their top talent returning, Tennessee should be able to handle Syracuse with relative ease. Prediction: Win (1-0)
Week 2 – East Tennessee State (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
East Tennessee State is an FCS program, and while upsets happen in college football, Tennessee will have far too much talent for this game to be competitive. It’s a great opportunity for Heupel to fine-tune his roster and give younger players some valuable game experience. Prediction: Win (2-0)
Week 3 – UAB (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
The UAB Blazers, another nonconference opponent, are a strong team in Conference USA but are not at the level of SEC competition. With Tennessee playing at home, the Vols should win this matchup with ease, especially if they maintain their momentum after their first two games. Prediction: Win (3-0)
Week 4 – New Mexico State (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
New Mexico State is another FBS team that Tennessee will have little trouble with in this nonconference showdown. While New Mexico State has been solid in recent seasons, their matchup with an SEC powerhouse will be a difficult task. This will be another game for Tennessee to build confidence and prepare for tougher opponents down the road. Prediction: Win (4-0)
Week 5 – Arkansas (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
Arkansas has been a competitive team under head coach Sam Pittman but has struggled to find consistency in the tough SEC West. Tennessee, particularly at home, should be favored in this contest. The Razorbacks will be a physical team, but Heupel’s offense should have the edge, especially if they come into the game with a clean slate. Prediction: Win (5-0)
Week 6 – Mississippi State (Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville, Mississippi)
Mississippi State, under new leadership, will be aiming to bounce back in 2025. While the Bulldogs can be unpredictable, their home-field advantage and the volatility of the SEC make this a potential trap game. However, Tennessee has the superior roster, and Heupel’s offense should prove too dynamic for Mississippi State to handle, despite playing in Starkville. Prediction: Win (6-0)
Week 7 – Kentucky (Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky)
Kentucky is a solid team, and playing in Lexington will always be a challenge. However, with Heupel’s potent offense and Tennessee’s overall strength, they should have enough firepower to come out on top. Kentucky will try to grind out a tough, physical game, but Tennessee should be able to execute when needed to claim the victory. Prediction: Win (7-0)
Week 8 – Florida (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
The Florida Gators are a team that has had its ups and downs in recent years, but playing in Gainesville is never easy. Tennessee has struggled in recent seasons when facing Florida on the road, and 2025 will likely be no different. Florida’s defense, combined with a capable quarterback, will make this a tough game, but Tennessee’s offense should eventually pull away for the win. Prediction: Win (8-0)
Week 9 – Alabama (Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama)
Facing Alabama on the road is always a tough challenge. The Crimson Tide, under Nick Saban, remain one of the top teams in college football year in and year out. Tennessee has played Alabama close in recent seasons, but taking down the Tide in Tuscaloosa will be a tall order. Despite a valiant effort, the Vols may fall short in this high-stakes rivalry matchup. Prediction: Loss (8-1)
Week 10 – Georgia (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
Georgia has been the dominant force in the SEC for the past few years, and while Tennessee has been able to compete with them in spurts, the Vols have yet to defeat the Bulldogs under Heupel. Hosting Georgia in Knoxville will be a challenge, as the Bulldogs will be loaded with talent and looking to continue their dominance. Tennessee will put up a fight, but Georgia will likely come out on top in this contest. Prediction: Loss (8-2)
Week 11 – Vanderbilt (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
Vanderbilt has had limited success in recent years in the SEC, and Tennessee will be heavily favored in this matchup. Playing at home, the Vols should have no problem handling the Commodores, and this will be a crucial game to keep their record strong heading into the final stretch of the season. Prediction: Win (9-2)
Week 12 – Oklahoma (Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee)
Oklahoma, transitioning into the SEC, will face a significant challenge in its first year in the conference. Tennessee, with its established program under Heupel, should have the upper hand, particularly in a home game. The Sooners will be talented, but Tennessee’s offense should be the difference in this matchup. Prediction: Win (10-2)
Week 13 – Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama)
Auburn is always a tough opponent, and playing in Jordan-Hare Stadium will make it even more challenging. However, Tennessee’s balanced offense and defensive improvements should allow them to edge out Auburn in a hard-fought battle. Prediction: Win (11-2)
Way-Too-Early Prediction
With a favorable schedule and a powerful offense led by Heupel, Tennessee could realistically finish the 2025 regular season with a 10-2 or even an 11-1 record, depending on the outcome of the games against Alabama and Georgia. With those two games standing as the biggest hurdles for the Vols, Heupel will need to prepare his team for the challenge of competing at the highest level in the SEC. If Tennessee can continue to build on its success and maintain consistency, they will be a force to reckon with in the conference and in the College Football Playoff picture once again in 2025.
