CBS Sports probably doesn't realize it, but they gave Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Vols a big-time offseason gift this week. 

Earlier this week, CBS Sports detailed the five SEC programs that are legitimate national championship contenders in 2025. 

Here's their list: 

Alabama Crimson Tide
Georgia Bulldogs
LSU Tigers
Ole Miss Rebels
Texas Longhorns

CBS sports listed the Tennessee Vols and the Florida Gators as "wildcards to watch". 

That's an interesting list if you're a player or coach at Tennessee. 

Three SEC teams reached the College Football Playoff in 2025 — Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. Of that group, only Georgia and Texas are getting the benefit of the doubt from CBS Sports. 

A year ago, there were a multitude of College Football Playoff predictions that didn't include Tennessee, but included teams like Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss. 

Those teams came up short of expectations while the Vols exceeded expectations by reaching the playoff with a first-time starting quarterback. 

And yet a year later, the national media is making the same mistake when it comes to Tennessee. They're trusting that Alabama, LSU, and Ole Miss will live up to expectations while completely underestimating Tennessee. 

This is a good thing, though, for the Volunteers. The last thing any head coach wants is the national media hyping up their team all offseason. It can be tough to ignore the "rat poison". 

If anything, stuff like this will provide Tennessee with a chip on its shoulder. And if we've learned anything about the Vols under Heupel the last few years, is that Tennessee is at its best when it plays with an edge. 

“We play with a chip on our shoulder at Tennessee. We get a lot of disrespect.” — Hendon Hooker at the combine (?: College Football Playbook) pic.twitter.com/hwOXWCAo8l

— zach ragan (@zachTNT) March 7, 2023

Offseason predictions, of course, mean absolutely nothing. It's just an opinion that has no actual impact on the season. That's why Vols fans shouldn't feel miffed by CBS Sports dismissing Tennessee in 2025 — they should embrace it. 

The most motivated team on the field almost always has an advantage. And after reaching the playoff a year ago and still receiving very little respect, the Vols should have plenty of motivation in 2025. 

Two things are very evident about Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava in spring practice and it bodes well for the Vols in 2025

Good things on the way for Nico