National media makes it clear they hold a differing opinion than coaches regarding the Tennessee Volunteers on Monday
The Vols’ places in both preseason polls have now been revealed
The Tennessee Vols got a solid tip of the cap from the coaches around the country last week when the 2025 preseason Coaches Poll was released. Tennessee checked in at #18.
However, they don’t hold quite the same esteem from the national media across the country, it appears. The 2025 preseason AP Poll was released at noon on Monday, and the Vols barely made the list at #24.
It’s not a giant slap in the face, like being off the poll and receiving few votes, but it’s indicative that those covering the sport have less faith in Josh Heupel to right the ship after a rough offseason across the roster – which includes Nico Iamaleava’s transfer, the departure of seven wide receivers for multiple reasons, four offensive line starters gone, offensive engine Dylan Sampson and three of their best defensive linemen now being on NFL rosters, and star CB Jermod McCoy dealing with recovery from an ACL tear.
Of course, with the College Football Playoff Rankings being the controlling and only relevant poll remaining, AP and Coaches Polls are very largely for show and ratings at this point. But I find it interesting to use it to compare what each group sees in a team. And if I was wanting a group to have a higher opinion of a team, it would be the ones with the tape and a keen eye for the finer points of the game.
We’ll see soon enough if the 2025 version of the Volunteers can prove the coaches to be the wiser bunch.
