ESPN’s latest college football tiers didn’t exactly flatter Tennessee.
With the Volunteers set to open their 2026 season against Furman on September 5, ESPN placed Tennessee in tier five, a group labeled “Always so close, but no cigar.” It’s a blunt assessment, but one that lines up with the Vols’ recent resume.
Tennessee has reached the College Football Playoff only once since it began, and that appearance ended in a loss in Columbus, Ohio against Ohio State. ESPN pointed to a few numbers behind its ranking: “Tennessee had three losses by a touchdown or less to teams that won nine or more games.
Tennessee's 69 rushing touchdowns over the past two years are the most in the SEC in that span. No team had a higher percentage of its passing yards come off play-action throws last year than Tennessee (59.8%),”
The Volunteers were one of six teams in that tier, alongside Louisville, Penn State, Iowa, SMU, and Washington. ESPN’s point was clear: these are teams that keep getting close, but haven’t consistently broken through in the biggest moments.
That description fits Tennessee’s recent track record. The Vols came up short in all of their ranked games last season, including a painful loss to Georgia. In that game, a missed field goal kept Tennessee from a win and eventually pushed the game into overtime.
If Tennessee is going to climb out of that tier, it will have to start finishing games better, especially in the fourth quarter. The SEC schedule will hand them plenty of chances to prove they belong with the conference’s best.
One tier above is the group that says, “We’re still here,” a spot reserved for teams that get doubted but keep showing up. Tennessee now has to give ESPN a reason to move them there.
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Tennessee Alabama Rivalry Just Got A Tradition Vols Fans Will Love
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Iowas QB Battle May Be Swinging After One Telling Scrimmage
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One name drawing more attention is Faizon Brandon, the true freshman who has apparently made his case in recent work against George MacIntyre. Recent reporting pointed to Brandon landing several deep throws in a scrimmage, the kind of flash that can speed up a staffs thinking even when the race is far from officially over. If Tennessee is leaning toward getting clarity sooner rather than later, this battle may be nearing a decision point. [Read more 🡒]