Tennessee Football Faces Uphill Battle in 2026: Will They Prove the Experts Wrong?
Tennessee football is coming off a strong two-year stretch, with the Vols achieving their second ten-win season in just three years and making their first-ever appearance in the College Football Playoff.
Although their postseason journey ended in a first-round loss to Ohio State—who would go on to claim the National Championship—Tennessee is determined to return to the playoff in the upcoming season.
However, ESPN’s way-too-early rankings and playoff projections suggest that the Vols may find themselves outside the 2026 College Football Playoff field.
Bill Connelly, in his early CFP predictions, has projected four SEC teams to make the cut, but notably excluded Tennessee from this mix. This omission comes despite the Vols’ solid debut in the postseason tournament just a year prior.
The early projection places Ohio State in the No. 1 spot, aiming to defend its national title, followed by Texas at No. 2, Clemson at No. 3, and BYU at No. 4. The rest of the projected field is rounded out by Penn State at No. 5, Notre Dame at No. 6, Georgia at No. 7, Oregon at No. 8, LSU at No. 9, South Carolina at No. 10, Iowa State at No. 11, and Boise State at No. 12.
It’s not surprising to see Texas, Clemson, and Penn State consistently in the top ranks, as all three programs are expected to make strong pushes for the playoff in the coming seasons.
Texas and Clemson are loaded with talent, while Penn State has made significant strides under head coach James Franklin.
South Carolina has also garnered attention in early CFP projections, with the Gamecocks continuing to build momentum. The team is poised to make a serious run in 2026, especially with quarterback Lenorris Sellars returning for another season under center.
For Tennessee, the road to the 2026 playoff will likely be more difficult. The Vols have significant holes to fill, especially on the offensive line and at running back, following the departure of their top rusher, Dylan Sampson.
Additionally, while quarterback Nico Iamaleava returns, the offense will undergo noticeable changes, as new faces join the lineup.
Despite these challenges, head coach Josh Heupel remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
He has already led Tennessee to 37 wins over his first four years at the helm, and he has no plans of slowing down.
Heupel has fostered a culture of success on Rocky Top, and the Vols’ faithful can expect the team to remain competitive as they aim to earn another postseason berth, proving the early rankings wrong.
While 2026 may present obstacles for Tennessee, one thing is certain: the Vols have the coaching, talent, and determination to be a contender, and they won’t be backing down from the challenge of earning their spot in the College Football Playoff once again.
