The Tennessee Vols finished 8-4 last season after dealing with some adversity (losing your starting quarterback in April and losing both starting cornerbacks is tough to overcome).

Tennessee certainly could’ve played better at times last season, but it was still a decent season considering the circumstances.

Unfortunately for Vols fans, it seems likely that a similar season will be in store this fall (but there’s hope for beyond the 2027 season).

CBS Sports predicts which games the Vols will win and lose in 2026

CBS Sports predicted this week which games Tennessee will win and lose this fall.

They have the Vols once again going 8-4 with wins against Furman, at Georgia Tech, Kennesaw State, at Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, at Vanderbilt, and LSU. And losses against Texas, Auburn, at South Carolina, and at Texas A&M.

“Losses to Texas and Texas A&M wouldn’t be surprising given the talent level of both opponents, but the swing games against Auburn and South Carolina are what ultimately could keep the Volunteers from reaching double-digit wins — the necessary threshold we see in guaranteeing a CFP appearance,” wrote CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford. “Those are the kinds of matchups that often define a season in the SEC. Auburn’s improved roster under Golesh and South Carolina’s home-field advantage make both difficult assignments, particularly if Tennessee struggles to find consistency at quarterback. Heupel’s offense should remain explosive enough to win eight games and secure another respectable bowl destination, but the Volunteers appear a step below the league’s elite. That’s the difference between playoff contention and a solid, yet unspectacular, season.”

Thanks to the transfer portal, it’s as difficult as ever to predict how seasons will go for teams, but I think this is a fair baseline prediction. The Vols never seem to have much luck in Columbia, and playing at Texas A&M is a tall task for anyone. On the flip side, beating Lane Kiffin at LSU at home would be a cause for celebration for Tennessee fans (especially after the stunt Kiffin pulled in Knoxville with Arizona State transfer quarterback Sam Leavitt this offseason).

You can argue that Tennessee will beat Auburn on the road, and maybe they do. But you could also argue that Tennessee could lose to Alabama at home and to Georgia Tech on the road.

It’s just truly impossible to predict how this season will play out for Tennessee — especially when we don’t know what the quarterback situation will look like.

But again, I think this is a very fair prediction from Crawford and CBS Sports. And I also think that going 8-4 with a freshman quarterback while playing a nine-game SEC scheduled would be a solid season for the Volunteers.