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Where Tennessee Football's 2025 opponents are ranked in Way-Too-Early Top 25s

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey•01/26/25•

GrantRamey

NCAA Football: Louisiana State at Florida
Nov 16, 2024; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway (2) looks to pass against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

The end of the college football season on Monday night, with Ohio State beating Notre Dame in the College Football Playoff game, meant turning the page quickly to 2025, with an onslaught of Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings.

On3’s Top 25 for next season had Tennessee at No. 13, with four opponents on next season’s schedule also ranked: Georgia, Florida, Alabama and Oklahoma.

“As the Ohio State loss highlighted,” Andy Staples wrote, referencing Tennessee’s 42-17 loss at Ohio Stadium in the first round of the College Football Playoff, “QB Nico Iamaleava needs some dynamic targets to emerge. Can sophomore Mike Matthews be that guy?”

Elsewhere the Vols were ranked as high as No. 7, by Yahoo, and as low as No. 19, by ESPN. Pro Football Focus , USA Today and CBS all had Tennessee at No. 9, Sporting News ranked the Vols No. 12 and FOX Sports, Sports Illustrated and The Athletic also ranked Tennessee No. 13.

Here’s where Tennessee’s opponents for next season were ranked by On3 and the other outlets earlier this week:

Georgia

Yahoo: No. 1 | CBS: No. 2 | Sporting News: No. 3 | FOX Sports: No. 5 | USA Today: No. 5 | On3: No. 6 | ESPN: No. 5 | The Athletic: No. 7 | Sports Illustrated: No. 7 | Pro Football Focus: No. 7

Tennessee hosts Georgia on September 13

Ari Wasserman: “Our first look at quarterback Gunner Stockton was an encouraging view of Georgia’s history, even if it came in a loss to Notre Dame. Georgia recruits monster classes and are returning offensive starters like running back Nate Frazier, receiver Dillon Bell and tight end Oscar Delp. We know Georgia’s defense is going to be nasty, too.”

Florida

On3: No. 9 | The Athletic: No. 11 | Sporting News: No. 11 | USA Today: No. 12 | Sports Illustrated: No. 16 | Pro Football Focus: No. 17 | CBS: No. 18  | ESPN: No. 18 | Yahoo: No. 21 | FOX Sports: No. 21

Tennessee plays at Florida on November 22

Andy Staples: “There might be one QB as exciting as Sellers. Rising Gators sophomore D.J. Lagway finished second in the nation in yards per attempt last year and should improve his accuracy with a full offseason as QB1. Meanwhile, the offensive and defensive lines that finished the season mauling potential playoff contenders will return intact.”

Alabama

USA Today: No. 3 | Pro Football Focus: No. 8 | Sporting News: No. 8 | Sports Illustrated: No. 8 | Yahoo: No. 9 | On3: No. 14 | ESPN: No. 12 | CBS: No. 14 | The Athletic: No. 14 | FOX Sports: No. 16 

Tennessee plays at Alabama on October 18

Ari Wasserman: “Kalen DeBoer went 9-4 in his first year as Alabama’s coach. That isn’t good enough. That said, he brought in a ton of talent in the latest recruiting cycle. Alabama will have a quarterback battle between Ty Simpson, Austin Mack and incoming five-star Keelon Russell, but it has important pieces back like receivers Ryan Williams and Germie Bernard, offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor. The defense will be experienced, too, so Alabama should be in the mix.”

Oklahoma

On3: No. 18 | The Athletic: No. 25

Tennessee hosts Oklahoma on November 1 

Ari Wasserman: “There is no team that had more bad luck with injuries than Oklahoma in 2024, which unquestionably contributed to the Sooners down season. Oklahoma brought in new offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle and star transfer quarterback John Mateer from Washington State. The Sooners offensive line should be improved next year and the quarterback will be a star.”

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