Latest preseason ranking for Tennessee Vols is absurd

National college football analysts seemingly don't know how to view the Tennessee Vols ahead of the 2022 season. Tennessee had a solid 2021 season — finishing with the No. 7 scoring offense in the nation — but they still only finished with a 7-6 record. 7-6 teams typically don't start the following season as a […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Tennessee Vols

National college football analysts seemingly don't know how to view the Tennessee Vols ahead of the 2022 season.

Tennessee had a solid 2021 season — finishing with the No. 7 scoring offense in the nation — but they still only finished with a 7-6 record.

7-6 teams typically don't start the following season as a top 25 team But Tennessee wasn't your average 7-6 team last season. The Vols could've easily finished as a 9-4 team. If Hendon Hooker starts at quarterback against Pittsburgh and if Joe Milton's final pass is just a bit more catchable against Ole Miss, then Tennessee would've finished with nine wins.

That's why I think the Vols should be considered a top 25 team this preseason. We know they can score a lot of points in a hurry. And they should improve in Josh Heupel's second season leading the program.

Not everyone, however, agrees.

Long-time college football analyst Phil Steele has Tennessee at No. 27 in his latest preseason top 40 rankings.

Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 27, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jabari Small (2) celebrates after a touchdown during the first half against the Vanderbilt Commodores at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports

One interesting thing about Steele's rankings is that he has Ole Miss (No. 30), Florida (No. 32), Kentucky (No. 35), and Arkansas (No. 36) all behind Tennessee (Auburn and LSU aren't in Steele's top 40).

The fact that UT is ahead of several other quality SEC programs should be encouraging to Vol fans.

What's absurd is that Steele's rankings are based on how he feels the rankings will look at the end of the year. I could somewhat understand Tennessee being at No. 27 in a pre-season poll, simply based on their final record from last season. But Steele is basically saying that he doesn't think the Vols will be a top 25 team at any point next season.

That's where I have a major disagreement with his rankings. Tennessee looked like a top 25 team last season — especially with Hooker under center. The Vols got better as the season progressed. Why does Steele think that won't continue to be the case in 2022?

It feels like a slap in the face to Heupel and the players on the team. It's like Steele is saying "I don't believe in his coach".

Fortunately for the Vols, they'll have plenty of opportunities to prove Steele wrong in 2022.

Featured image via Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

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