The Tennessee Volunteers were unexpectedly ranked outside the SEC’s Top 10 in football standings, defying preseason expectations.

Knoxville, Tenn. — As the 2025 college football season unfolds, one of the most surprising developments has been the Tennessee Volunteers’ absence from the SEC’s Top 10 rankings. This marks a sharp contrast to preseason expectations, where many analysts and fans alike believed the Volunteers were poised to be a formidable force in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Under the leadership of head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee had shown remarkable improvement in recent years, and with a talented roster, they were considered a legitimate contender. Yet, as the season progresses, the Volunteers find themselves in an unexpected and unfamiliar position.

This drop in the rankings raises several questions: How did Tennessee’s football program, which had shown promise, fall short of its high expectations? What factors contributed to this decline, and how will the team recover as the season continues? In this article, we take an in-depth look at the factors leading to the Volunteers’ surprise ranking outside the SEC’s Top 10 and explore the road ahead for the program.

The Preseason Buzz and High Expectations

Heading into the 2025 season, Tennessee football was riding a wave of optimism. After a successful 2024 campaign in which the Volunteers had finished strong in the SEC, there was a palpable sense of hope among fans and analysts. Coach Heupel had quickly turned around a program that had been struggling for years. In his second season, Tennessee exceeded expectations by making a strong run in the SEC and even finishing in the top 15 of the College Football Playoff rankings.

Heupel’s offensive scheme, which is fast-paced and high-scoring, had transformed Tennessee into one of the most explosive teams in the SEC. Quarterback play, which had been a source of concern for Tennessee in previous seasons, was stabilized by a dynamic signal-caller who could stretch the field and make the big plays necessary to compete in the SEC.

The recruiting trail had also gone in Tennessee’s favor, as Heupel’s ability to attract top-tier talent to Knoxville became evident. With a number of highly-rated recruits entering the program, including a five-star quarterback and a slew of four-star defensive prospects, expectations for 2025 were sky-high. The Volunteers were ranked in the Top 10 by several preseason polls and were considered by many to be one of the top contenders in the SEC, alongside perennial powerhouses like Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.

With a talented roster, an innovative head coach, and a program on the rise, the Volunteers seemed ready to challenge the elite teams of the conference. However, as the season has unfolded, it has become clear that these lofty expectations have yet to be realized.

The Fall from the Top: Why the Volunteers Aren’t Living Up to Expectations

As the 2025 season has progressed, Tennessee’s struggles have been evident on both sides of the ball. Despite high expectations, several factors have contributed to the Volunteers’ underperformance, leading to their surprising drop outside the SEC’s Top 10 rankings.

1. Quarterback Play and Offensive Inconsistency

One of the most talked-about storylines for Tennessee this season has been the decline in quarterback play. While the Volunteers were expected to field a potent offense with a proven signal-caller at the helm, the reality has been much different. Despite flashes of brilliance, Tennessee’s quarterback has been inconsistent at best.

The highly-touted five-star recruit, who was expected to take the reins as the future of the program, has struggled with accuracy and decision-making. He has shown moments of brilliance, with impressive throws and plays, but his inconsistency has hurt Tennessee’s ability to sustain drives and put up the explosive offensive numbers that fans had become accustomed to under Heupel.

The offensive line, which was expected to be a strength, has also underperformed, allowing far too many sacks and negative plays. The lack of a strong and consistent offensive line has made it difficult for Tennessee to establish a rhythm on offense, leading to frustrating performances in crucial games.

Heupel’s offense relies on quick tempo and explosive plays, but when the quarterback isn’t playing at a high level, it becomes difficult to execute the offense effectively. As a result, Tennessee’s offensive production has been significantly lower than expected, and the team has struggled to keep up with high-powered offenses across the SEC.

2. Defensive Struggles and Missed Opportunities

While Tennessee’s offense has been inconsistent, the defense has been even more troubling. Historically, the Volunteers have struggled defensively, and while there were signs of improvement last season, the 2025 defense has been porous at times. The defensive line, which was expected to be one of the team’s strengths, has failed to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks, allowing them to pick apart the secondary.

The defensive backfield, a major area of concern in previous seasons, has continued to be a vulnerability. Despite some talented players, the secondary has allowed big plays and struggled to cover receivers in one-on-one situations. Opponents have been able to exploit Tennessee’s defense, and in several key matchups, the Volunteers have allowed more points than they can afford.

Additionally, missed tackles and poor gap control have led to long runs and breakdowns in coverage. When a defense is unable to stop opposing offenses, it puts more pressure on the offense to produce, which further exacerbates Tennessee’s struggles.

3. Tough SEC Schedule and Competitive Parity

Tennessee’s fall from grace can also be attributed to the brutal nature of the SEC. The Southeastern Conference remains the most competitive in college football, and even with a talented roster, teams often find themselves facing formidable opponents week in and week out.

This season, Tennessee has already faced several tough challenges, including matchups with Alabama, Georgia, and LSU. While these teams are among the best in the nation, Tennessee’s struggles against them have exposed the weaknesses in their game. The Volunteers have been competitive in some of these contests, but their inability to close out games and make key plays in crucial moments has cost them dearly.

Furthermore, the SEC has become more competitive in recent years, with teams like Ole Miss, Kentucky, and Mississippi State showing significant improvement. The Volunteers are no longer able to rely on their traditional advantages, and every SEC opponent is capable of delivering an upset on any given weekend.

4. Injuries and Depth Issues

Another factor in Tennessee’s struggles has been the impact of injuries. Like any team, the Volunteers have had to deal with key injuries throughout the season, particularly at positions that require depth and stability, such as quarterback and offensive line. Injuries have led to a lack of continuity and chemistry on both sides of the ball.

In addition to injuries, Tennessee has had trouble developing depth across its roster. While the starting lineup remains talented, the Volunteers have lacked the necessary depth to overcome injuries and sustain a high level of play throughout the course of the season. This has been especially evident in the SEC, where teams often rely on a deep rotation to stay fresh and competitive.

5. Coaching Challenges and Adjustments

Coach Josh Heupel has undoubtedly made strides with the Tennessee program, but his ability to make in-game adjustments has been called into question this season. The high-paced offensive system that has been so successful in previous seasons seems to have hit a wall, and Heupel’s inability to adapt to opposing defenses has been a point of criticism.

While Heupel’s coaching style is often praised for its innovation and fast pace, he has struggled at times to counter adjustments made by opposing teams. This has led to Tennessee’s offensive struggles, particularly against teams that are able to slow down the tempo and control the game. In some key matchups, Heupel has been unable to find solutions when things aren’t going well, and this has left the Volunteers at a disadvantage.

Moving Forward: Can Tennessee Rebound?

Despite their current struggles, the Tennessee Volunteers are far from a lost cause. With a talented roster and a coaching staff that has shown the ability to make adjustments in the past, the Volunteers still have the potential to turn their season around. However, several key factors will need to be addressed in order for Tennessee to get back on track.

1. Quarterback Development: Tennessee’s quarterback needs to find consistency. If the five-star recruit can settle into his role and play with confidence, the Volunteers will have the offensive spark they need to compete with the best teams in the SEC.
2. Defensive Improvements: The defense needs to step up and eliminate big plays. The defensive line must become more aggressive, and the secondary must limit coverage busts. If Tennessee can make key stops and keep opponents from scoring in bunches, the offense will have a better chance to succeed.
3. Health and Depth: Staying healthy will be crucial for Tennessee’s success moving forward. The depth issues need to be addressed, particularly along the offensive line and at key positions on defense.
4. Coaching Adjustments: Heupel must continue to evolve as a coach and make the necessary adjustments to counter opposing teams’ strategies. Finding a balance between high-tempo offense and taking what the defense gives him will be key.

A Season of Uncertainty, but Hope Remains

While Tennessee’s surprising fall outside of the SEC’s Top 10 is a disappointment, it’s far from the end of the road for the program. Coach Heupel and his team have the tools to recover, but they must address several key areas of weakness if they hope to remain competitive in the brutal SEC. With the season far from over, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if the Volunteers can turn things around and recapture the magic that made them a preseason favorite. For now, Tennessee’s journey is one of challenge, but hope remains that brighter days lie ahead.