The Tennessee Vols’ 2025 season was one that was a rollercoaster in a sense. There were plenty of high moments, but also some freefalling low ones.

Beating Florida in Gainesville for the first time since 2003 was among the highest. The comeback against Mississippi State to win in overtime was another, as was rolling up Kentucky on the road (again).

But the lowlights were pretty low, from losing to Georgia after having a field goal attempt to win it (a rollercoaster in that game alone) to self-inflicted wounds that ended playoff hopes in a 33-27 loss to Oklahoma to start November.

However, no moment was lower than the regular season finale against Vanderbilt. The Vols’ defense served as a turnstile, allowing 579 total yards (314 rushing) in a 45-24 shellacking at the hands of Vanderbilt.

Josh Heupel was asked specifically about that moment at SEC Media Days on Monday in Tampa. Specifically, he was asked what the pressure has been like after that loss. Heupel started off stating something similar to what many Tennessee fans have said since that game.

Heupel says ‘you don’t ever want to lose to Vandy’ at SEC Media Days in response to a question about pressure following 2025 loss

“Yeah, you don’t ever want to lose to Vandy. It’s one of our rivals. You look at that football game, play right before half where we get hit with a penalty, gives them an extra play, they score seven, tie it up. A couple possessions later a few key plays, and you’re chasing from behind.

“So, really good football team last year. Disappointed in that result. Disappointed in really how we played in that second half, but looking forward to traveling to Nashville later in the season and getting an opportunity to play them again.”

Well, I suppose Vol fans probably were saying, “you CAN’T EVER lose to Vandy”, but it’s still pretty close to being on the nose (even though Heupel likely wasn’t speaking from a place of condescension that Tennessee fans would be).

Sure, Vandy had a great year last season. They went 10-2 in the regular season and made a push for the playoff, with QB Diego Pavia making it to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

But not just losing, but getting handled like Tennessee did was something that surely burned at Heupel, his players, and his staff over the entire offseason.

There is a standard at Tennessee: you can’t lose to Vanderbilt regardless. Tennessee proved they were good enough at home to beat the SEC’s best last year, as a straighter field goal attempt beats Georgia in September. They could have and should have beaten the Commodores as well.

I have a feeling that, no matter the records of both teams going into their matchup on November 28, 2026, Heupel will have this team as fired up and ready to play in any game that he ever has during his time in Knoxville.