Expectations continue to grow for the Tennessee Volunteers as the 2025 college football season approaches, and according to ESPN’s latest projections, the Vols are poised to be one of the Southeastern Conference’s top contenders—though not quite at the very top. In ESPN’s preseason Football Power Index (FPI) forecast, Tennessee is projected to finish with the fourth-best record in the SEC, placing them behind perennial powerhouses Georgia, Alabama, and Ole Miss.
It’s a sign of the program’s continued stability and upward trajectory under head coach Josh Heupel, who has led Tennessee back into national relevance with a high-powered offense, creative schemes, and a renewed sense of identity in Knoxville. After a 9–4 campaign in 2024 that included key wins and some tough losses, the Vols are widely seen as a team that could make serious noise in the expanded College Football Playoff race.
ESPN’s FPI model takes into account numerous factors, including returning production, strength of schedule, recent performance, recruiting rankings, and coaching continuity. Tennessee scores well across the board, particularly in offensive efficiency and roster depth. Despite the loss of key veterans to the NFL Draft and graduation, the
