ESPN’s preseason bowl projections make it clear what they think of the Tennessee Vols’ outlook for 2026
The Tennessee Vols begin their 2026 season in just under two weeks. The Vols are an interesting team, as there’s no doubt they have plenty of talent on the roster, particularly at the skill positions on offense and linebackers on defense. However, there are plenty of question marks that Tennessee has to answer this year. […]
The Tennessee Vols begin their 2026 season in just under two weeks. The Vols are an interesting team, as there’s no doubt they have plenty of talent on the roster, particularly at the skill positions on offense and linebackers on defense.
However, there are plenty of question marks that Tennessee has to answer this year. Are Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre ready to hit the ground running? Where will the pass rush come from, with Chaz Coleman dismissed over the summer? Can Tennessee overcome the loss of safety Edrees Farooq on the back end?
As such, opinions vary on how the Vols’ season will go. As for ESPN college football writers Mark Schlabach and Kyle Bonagura, well, they see a mediocre one for Josh Heupel.
The duo put out their preseason bowl projections, and they don’t have Tennessee anywhere near the College Football Playoff.
ESPN analysts project Tennessee Vols to land in Texas Bowl or Music City Bowl
Schlabach has Tennessee in the Texas Bowl against Oklahoma State on Thursday, Dec. 31 in Houston. Bonagura tabs the Vols to face Iowa in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30.
It goes without saying that either of those results would be a big disappointment even in a year with Tennessee handling the question marks they do. But it would also be a valuable year regardless, as the Vols appear well positioned to contend in the SEC and on the national scale in 2027, with Brandon and/or MacIntyre having a year under their belt, David Gabriel Georges joining the roster, and Jim Knowles’ defense entering year two.
We’ll find out soon enough if the Vols can subvert some expectations this year, with their season getting underway in less than two weeks against Furman in Neyland Stadium.
