The Tennessee Volunteers: Underrated in Early 2025 SEC Power Rankings

As we step into the 2025 college football season, the Tennessee Volunteers (Tennessee Vols) are, once again, being overlooked in the SEC power rankings. Despite a strong recent history under head coach Josh Heupel, the Vols are not receiving the respect they deserve in the early 2025 rankings. This is not a situation where expectations and hype simply haven’t caught up with the program, nor is it a case of the team underperforming in recent years. In fact, Tennessee has proven itself to be a legitimate contender in the Southeastern Conference, and yet it’s clear that many analysts and pundits are still holding on to outdated narratives.

A Brief Recap: The Rise of Tennessee Under Josh Heupel

To understand why the Vols deserve more respect in the 2025 rankings, it’s important to understand where they were and how they have evolved since Josh Heupel took over as head coach in 2021. Tennessee’s program had been down for several years before Heupel’s arrival. There were years of mediocrity, coaching changes, and instability. However, Heupel quickly turned things around with his innovative offense, bringing back excitement to Neyland Stadium.

In his first year, Tennessee had a strong 7-6 record, which was a big improvement from previous years. The offense was explosive and showcased Heupel’s signature uptempo, high-scoring style. By 2022, the Vols were one of the most dynamic teams in college football, with quarterback Hendon Hooker at the helm, leading Tennessee to an 11-2 record, a top-10 finish, and a memorable win over Alabama. The Vols’ offense averaged 39.4 points per game in 2022, and the defense, while not perfect, had made strides under Heupel’s leadership.

The 2023 season was another step forward. Tennessee finished with a 10-3 record, once again solidifying itself as a contender in the SEC. Despite a tough loss to Georgia and a couple of other bumps in the road, Tennessee had a successful season. The Vols kept their high-powered offense rolling, and although they were still in a conference dominated by the likes of Georgia, Alabama, and LSU, they had proven they belonged.

With the 2025 season on the horizon, Tennessee is now primed to make another run at the SEC championship. They return several key players, including star quarterback Joe Milton, who has shown flashes of brilliance in limited action, and a defense that is becoming increasingly more formidable. Yet, for all the progress they’ve made over the past few seasons, early power rankings still seem to dismiss them.

The SEC: A Loaded Conference with Historical Bias

The SEC, for many, is synonymous with powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, LSU, and Florida. These programs have historically been at the top of the college football hierarchy, and it’s no surprise that analysts tend to give them the benefit of the doubt when crafting preseason power rankings. However, this historical bias often leads to teams like Tennessee being undervalued, despite their recent resurgence.

In particular, Alabama and Georgia have become the two giants of the SEC in recent years, with Alabama maintaining its status as a perennial title contender and Georgia emerging as a dominant force under Kirby Smart. LSU, under Brian Kelly, has started to look formidable again, and even teams like Ole Miss and Arkansas have had strong showings in recent seasons.

While these teams deserve their respect, it’s also important to recognize the rise of programs like Tennessee that have shown they can compete at the highest levels. The problem lies in the tendency of preseason rankings to overlook programs that haven’t historically been at the top, even if they’ve recently demonstrated that they’re capable of competing with anyone.

In 2025, the SEC is once again looking like a bloodbath, and while Alabama, Georgia, and LSU are sure to be in the mix, Tennessee has more than enough pieces in place to make a serious run at the title. However, early power rankings continue to slot the Vols behind teams that, while impressive, have not demonstrated the same level of consistent growth and upward trajectory in recent seasons.

Tennessee’s 2025 Roster: Loaded with Talent

Tennessee enters 2025 with one of the most well-rounded rosters in recent memory. The Volunteers may not have the same type of talent as Alabama or Georgia in terms of sheer recruiting rankings, but the program has accumulated a lot of talent through solid recruiting efforts under Heupel, player development, and the transfer portal.

Quarterback Joe Milton is perhaps the most intriguing player on the roster. After backing up Hendon Hooker for most of 2022 and 2023, Milton had a full year to prepare for 2025 and is poised to take over as one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC. His rocket arm and athleticism are undeniable, and with more experience and a full offseason of preparation, Milton could become a true game-changer for Tennessee’s offense.

The Vols also boast a deep and talented wide receiver corps, led by standout players like Bru McCoy and Squirrel White, who are both capable of breaking off big plays. The uptempo offense that Heupel runs lends itself well to these speedy playmakers, and it’s easy to envision Tennessee’s offense once again being one of the most high-powered in the country.

In the running game, Tennessee is strong as well. The Volunteers return several capable backs, including Jabari Small, who has proven to be a steady force in the backfield. Heupel’s offense often leans on a balanced attack, which should keep opposing defenses guessing throughout the season.

Perhaps the most underrated aspect of Tennessee’s roster is its defense. While Tennessee’s defense has never been elite, they have shown improvement in recent seasons under Heupel’s staff. The defense will be led by linebacker Juwan Mitchell and defensive lineman Omari Thomas, both of whom have the ability to disrupt opposing offenses. If the Vols’ defense can continue to improve, they could become one of the more complete teams in the SEC, capable of winning tough games in the trenches and limiting explosive offenses.

Tennessee’s 2025 Schedule: Opportunities for Validation

One of the key elements of Tennessee’s 2025 campaign will be their schedule. While the Vols will face stiff competition from within the SEC, the schedule presents plenty of opportunities for them to prove that they belong in the conversation with the top-tier teams of the conference.

The Vols open their SEC slate with Alabama and Georgia in back-to-back games, a daunting challenge but one that will give them a chance to establish themselves as true contenders. These games, which will likely be highly publicized and heavily scrutinized, could provide Tennessee with the opportunity to make a statement and force the national media to recognize their rise.

Moreover, Tennessee’s crossover games against the likes of LSU and Auburn will be important in shaping their conference standing. The Vols’ schedule isn’t easy by any means, but it sets up perfectly for them to prove that they are not only capable of competing with the heavyweights of the SEC, but that they are truly a program on the rise, poised for a breakout season.