Ahead of the 2026 season, Florida Gators legend Chris Doering said that he thought the Tennessee Vols could take a step back in 2026.

“I don’t know what the Vols do (in 2026),” said Doering in July. “I think they take a little bit of a step back. I know they took a step back from their playoff year two years ago, but I really don’t have a good feel for who they are or what they’re going to be in 2026.”

“I think if you look at Tennessee lately, I’ve called them bullies from time to time because they beat up on the teams that are not as good from a talent perspective,” added Doering. “But when they play somebody that’s equally as talented or better, they don’t win a lot of those games.

“I want to see what their level of physicality is — particularly up front. They’re going to have to run the ball this year. And with very little threat of the pass, at least heading into the season, we’ll see how they do against defenses that may load the box against them, particularly if it is Faizon Brandon that starts (at quarterback).”

Doering was skeptical in the summer about the Vols, but now that he’s seen them play, he says he likes this Tennessee team.

“I know we don’t believe in moral victories, but I thought Tennessee played a really good ball game in a hostile environment (against South Carolina),” said Doering on The Buck Reising Show this week. “They went down by 14 early. It looked like it got away from them, but they fought. They did everything they needed to do to get back into the game and ultimately take the lead. They didn’t execute very well. The penalties hurt them.

“… But I like this Tennessee defense an awful lot. I love DeSean Bishop, obviously. I think George MacIntyre is getting better at the helm with running that offense efficiently. But I also think Kentucky’s going to wait in the cut. They’re going to let you make a mistake, and it’ll be up to MacIntyre and that offense to not do things that are going to give life to Kentucky. Kentucky’s offense is 10th in the conference. Their defense is 11th in the conference, but they’re first by far in turnover margin. It just speaks to who they are. So if Tennessee can go out and do the things they need to do defensively and not turn it over on offense, I think they can hand Kentucky their second SEC loss.”

It’s almost impossible to have a good feel for where teams are before the season thanks to massive roster turnover each offseason, so you can’t blame Doering for being down on the Vols back in July.

I mean, hey, at least he’s giving them some credit now.