Can the Vols Break Historic Streaks and Make a Playoff Run in 2025
As the Tennessee Vols gear up for the 2025 college football season, their main objective remains the same as it was in 2024: to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff and ultimately bring a national championship back to Knoxville.
In 2024, Tennessee successfully reached the College Football Playoff, marking a significant step toward their ultimate goal. However, their postseason run was short-lived as they encountered a formidable opponent in the Ohio State Buckeyes, who would go on to win the national title.
For Tennessee to make another run at the playoff in 2025, they will face a challenging SEC schedule filled with some of the toughest opponents in college football. The path to the playoff will require the Vols to perform at a consistently high level and overcome some major hurdles along the way.
Over the weekend, CBS Sports identified the most crucial game on the schedule for each potential top 25 team, and for Tennessee, it’s an early-season showdown with the Georgia Bulldogs on September 13. This game has been highlighted as the “biggest” matchup on Tennessee’s schedule, and for good reason. With both teams being highly competitive in the SEC, this contest will likely have a significant impact on both teams’ playoff aspirations.
In 2024, it became clear that for an SEC team to make the College Football Playoff, they generally need to finish the regular season with at least a 10-2 record. This means that Tennessee must secure wins in key matchups, which include home games against Georgia, as well as road games at Alabama and Florida. The Vols will need to be strategic and perform under pressure to emerge victorious in these high-stakes contests.
Historically, Tennessee has struggled in these rivalry games. The Vols haven’t beaten Georgia since 2016, and they have not won in Gainesville against Florida since 2003. Similarly, Tennessee has not won in Tuscaloosa against Alabama since that same year.
To reach the 2025 College Football Playoff, Tennessee will need to break at least one of these long-standing streaks, making each of these games pivotal to their postseason hopes.
For Tennessee fans, securing a win against Georgia early in the season would be a huge boost. Not only would it help reduce the pressure going into the tough road games against Alabama and Florida later in the year, but it would also be a major statement to the rest of the college football world.
A victory over the Bulldogs could set the tone for the rest of the season, giving the Vols confidence as they aim to return to the top of the SEC and push for a spot in the playoff.
Ultimately, the 2025 season will test Tennessee’s ability to overcome adversity, break historic droughts, and rise to the occasion when facing their toughest opponents.
If they can manage to win at least one of these crucial games—against Georgia, Alabama, or Florida—they will position themselves strongly to contend for the national championship. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as the Vols take on these challenges, with September 13 against Georgia marking the beginning of what could be a defining season for Tennessee football
