Expectations remain high for Tennessee football heading into the 2025 season, but a recent bowl game projection has Vols fans feeling underwhelmed. National analysts have slotted Tennessee into a mid-tier bowl, a prediction that falls short of the lofty aspirations the program has been building toward under head coach Josh Heupel.
Despite strong recruiting classes and signs of progress over the past few seasons, the Volunteers are currently projected to land in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl—a far cry from the New Year’s Six or College Football Playoff spots the fanbase has been hoping for. The projection raises questions about how much confidence experts have in Tennessee’s ability to compete with SEC powerhouses like Georgia, Alabama, and LSU.
The Vols are coming off a solid 2024 campaign but failed to break into the top tier of the SEC, and that inconsistency appears to be influencing national expectations. Key departures and unproven talent at certain positions may also be contributing to the lukewarm forecast. Quarterback development and defensive stability will be critical if Tennessee hopes to outperform this mid-level bowl prediction.
For fans, the projected destination is disappointing—but not set in stone. The season hasn’t started, and plenty of variables could shift Tennessee’s trajectory. With the expanded College Football Playoff format and a competitive early-season schedule, the Vols have opportunities to make a statement and prove the doubters wrong.
Still, this latest projection serves as a reminder that Tennessee remains in a transitional phase. While the potential is clear, the Volunteers must now deliver consistent results on the field to reestablish themselves as a premier program capable of contending for championships rather than just bowl appea
rances.
