The Tennessee Volunteers finished the 2024 season 10-3 and made the College Football Playoff. In 2025, there has been significant roster turnover, including the surprising transfer of quarterback Nico Iamaleava in the Spring. Head coach Josh Heupel was able to land the equivalent of a transfer portal “trade” by getting former UCLA and Appalachian State QB Joey Aguilar to commit to the Vols.
A lot of production was lost on offense, but the defense remains solid. Junior linebacker Arion Carter is back—he led Tennessee in tackles in 2024. The tremendous cornerback duo of Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson are back. Although McCoy is recovering from a torn ACL injury suffered in January. Whether it’s Aguilar or redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger who leads the Vols in 2025, Tennessee is going to have a long road ahead of them—or do they?
Aug. 30 vs. Syracuse (Atlanta)
The opener is a neutral-site game against the Orange, winners of 10 games in 2024. However, this Orange squad loses just about all of its offensive production from last year. The leading returning rusher had only 130 yards and one TD in 2024. The receiving corps loses 80 percent of its top receivers. The defense loses 70 percent of its top tacklers. Head coach Fran Brown landed former Notre Dame transfer Steve Angeli from the transfer portal to lead his offense. But there is just too much that’s been lost for the Orange to beat Tennessee in what will seem like a Vols’ home game. Tennessee wins (1-0).
Sept. 6 vs. East Tennessee State
This is a typical FCS “paycheck” game and should be an easy win for Tennessee. Look for the Vols to dominate and get a decent number of snaps for the backups. Tennessee wins (2-0).
Sept. 13 vs. Georgia
Head coach Kirby Smart doesn’t rebuild, he reloads. And that is what the Bulldogs have done for the 2025 season. The only question is a major one: can QB Gunner Stockton lead the Dawgs to the CFP? When the Dawgs come to Neyland Stadium in week three, it will be only the third regular season start in Stockton’s career. Smart is a defensive genius and rotates several players. The losses on the defense, while some are significant, will not hurt the Dawgs in the long run. Can the Neyland crowd affect Stockton’s decisions and bring another scene similar to Alabama in 2022? I say yes, the Vols will get their first win against Georgia since 2016. I would have picked Georgia in this game if it were played later in the season, as it has been the last four years. Neyland Stadium is not an easy place for anyone to make their first true road start. Tennessee wins (3-0).
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Sept. 20 vs. UAB
The Blazers struggled on both sides of the ball and only won three games in 2024. Head coach Trent Dilfer is on the hot seat and may be out after the 2025 season if he cannot right the ship. This will be another lopsided win for the Vols, who should get the backups a fair number of snaps. Tennessee wins (4-0).
Sept. 27 at Mississippi State
Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby was the offensive coordinator for Heupel at UCF in 2019 and 2020. Mississippi State only won two games in 2024, neither of which was against Power Four competition. QB Blake Shapen returns after missing the final eight games of 2024 with an injury. The thinking with Mississippi State is that they can’t get any worse. I just don’t think they will have enough to hang with the Vols, who will get a win in their first road test of the season. Tennessee wins (5-0).
Oct. 11 vs. Arkansas
After a bye week, Tennessee has revenge on its mind as Arkansas comes to Neyland Stadium. The Razorbacks upset Tennessee in Fayetteville last year, 19-14. The Razorbacks outgained Tennessee 431-332 behind QB Taylen Green’s 266 passing yards. Green is back, as is an experienced offensive line. Each year under Heupel, the Vols have one road game in which they struggle. His record on the road since taking over at Tennessee is 8-10. However, this game is at home, where Heupel’s Vols are 25-4. The Tennessee defense should be more than up to the task this time around. Tennessee wins (6-0).
Oct. 18 at Alabama
The third Saturday of October has the Vols on the road against a tough Alabama squad. Tennessee was 0-for-Saban in games at Bryant-Denny Stadium during the legendary coach’s time on the Alabama sideline. Tennessee’s last win at Alabama was in 2003. While head coach Kalen DeBoer’s team is loaded, they are heading into 2025 with QB Ty Simpson. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound junior has never started a collegiate game. This should be his seventh start, and by then, we will know if he is the answer for the Tide. Alabama is loaded at every position, and I don’t see the Vols coming out with the win. Tennessee loses (6-1).
Oct. 25 at Kentucky
Back-to-back road games have Tennessee heading to Lexington, Ky., to face the Wildcats. While Heupel’s road record is under .500, he is undefeated against Kentucky. Texas A&M transfer QB Zach Calzada will lead head coach Mark Stoops’ offense. The front seven on the defense was not good in 2024, but Stoops added help from the transfer portal. I can’t see Kentucky’s offense matching Tennessee score for score. Vols win another game in Lexington. Tennessee wins (7-1).
Nov. 1 vs. Oklahoma
Speaking of revenge, the Sooners are looking for revenge after Tennessee won in Norman, Okla. last year, 25-15. OU brings in a new offensive coordinator, Ben Arbuckle, from Washington State. Arbuckle’s QB with Wazzu, John Mateer, followed him to Norman and will be QB1. Head coach Brent Venables upgraded the roster heavily through the transfer portal. This will not be the same OU team that the Vols faced in 2024. The injury bug decimated the Sooner receiver corps, and I don’t expect that to happen again in 2025. It will be a tough test for Tennessee, who will fall to the Sooners. Tennessee loses (7-2).
Nov. 15 vs. New Mexico State
Following a bye week, the Vols host New Mexico State from Conference USA. This should be another “paycheck” game where the backups get in shortly after halftime. Tennessee wins (8-2).
Nov. 22 at Florida
Games at The Swamp for Tennessee are like games at Alabama, they can’t seem to win there. The last win at The Swamp for the Vols was in 2003. There have been some heartbreakers for Tennessee at Florida during that time. Head coach Billy Napier has started to turn things around in Gainesville with QB DJ Lagway. The Florida defense can be good if they stay healthy. The offense will only go as far as Lagway will take them. If Lagway is injured, former Vol Harrison Bailey is the backup. I think the curse continues at the Swamp. Tennessee loses (8-3).
Nov. 29 vs. Vanderbilt
The Commodores had a good season in 2024, finishing 7-6, including a home win against Alabama. The season was capped off with a Birmingham Bowl victory over Georgia Tech, marking the first bowl win for Vandy since 2013. Brash QB Diego Pavia is the Commodores’ leader, throwing for 2,293 yards with 20 TDs and four Ints. He was also the leading rusher with 801 yards and eight TDs. The returning defense was very productive in 2024, and head coach Clark Lea added in some pieces via the transfer portal. But Heupel has yet to lose to his cross-state rival, and this year will be no different. Tennessee wins (9-3).
