'I think they're in pretty good shape' – Former Alabama QB lays out the worst case scenario for the Tennessee Vols in 2025
Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning co-host Greg McElroy laid out the worst case scenario for the Tennessee Vols in 2025, and it's really not that bad (depending on your viewpoint). McElroy went through the Vols' regular season schedule and tried to lay out what he believes is […]
Former Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback and current McElroy and Cubelic in the Morning co-host Greg McElroy laid out the worst case scenario for the Tennessee Vols in 2025, and it's really not that bad (depending on your viewpoint).
McElroy went through the Vols' regular season schedule and tried to lay out what he believes is the worst possible outcome for Tennessee in 2025. He landed at the Vols finishing with an 8-4 record as the worst case scenario for UT football this fall.
"You look at their schedule, they could still start 5-1," said McElroy while discussing the Volunteers. "They have one of the most gettable schedules in the SEC this year in my opinion. You get Syracuse in a [non-conference matchup], that's a big game. You get that one, you're in great shape. ETSU, you get that one, now you're 2-0. You get Georgia at home, probably not going to happen. I have a hard time envisioning a win there. Can it happen? Sure. Georgia may have growing pains at that point, too. But let's just assume they lose that one because we're playing devil's advocate at the moment.
"You get UAB at home. I love Trent Dilfer, but I think that's going to be tough sledding. So you're 3-1. At Mississippi State. Mississippi State, how much progress have they made on defense? Probably not a ton. I think at that point, you're still in pretty good shape. You get Arkansas at your place, now you're 5-1 if you get Arkansas at home. I feel pretty good about them being able to get Arkansas at home. Then you go to Bama, that'll be a tough one. I think that's a loss. Now you've got two losses. Then you're at Kentucky. I'm not sold on Kentucky this year. Then you get Oklahoma at home. I think Oklahoma gets (Tennessee). But it's at home. Do you think they lose multiple games at Neyland this year? Let's assume they do because we're trying to find the worst-case scenario for Tennessee fans this year. You lose to Oklahoma, you beat New Mexico State. You have three losses going to Gainesville. Which, I think is probably going to be a loss. Tough game. You almost lost to them at home last year, but they're a better team (this year). Florida's a year further along in their program's development."
"So you're looking at four [losses], but that's a worst case scenario," continued McElroy. "Now, that's also assuming wins at Mississippi State and against Arkansas and winning at Kentucky — two wins on the road is no picnic. But I feel pretty good about the gap that exists between (Tennessee) and Mississippi State and Kentucky. So I think they're in pretty good shape to, in worst case scenario, win eight."
Based on McElroy's take, the Vols basically need to win the game at home against Oklahoma and win one of three against either Georgia, Alabama, or Florida to earn a return trip to the College Football Playoff in 2025.
That's of course easier said than done — Tennessee hasn't won in Tuscaloosa or in Gainesville in over two decades. But the Vols, if they win a couple of big games, can easily return to post-season play. As long as Tennessee doesn't slip up in a game they should win, they'll still be in the fight for a playoff bid when the calendar flips to November.
