Tennessee Baseball Opens 2026 Season Ranked No. 15, Eyes Strong Start Under Josh Elander
With first pitch just days away, Tennessee baseball enters the 2026 season carrying both expectations and opportunity. The Volunteers landed at No. 15 in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) preseason poll, setting the stage for what could be a pivotal season on Rocky Top - one that marks the beginning of the Josh Elander era.
This preseason ranking places Tennessee among the nation’s elite, but it also highlights the gauntlet that lies ahead in the SEC. LSU, the preseason No. 1, leads a staggering 12-team contingent from the conference in the NCBWA’s Top 30.
That’s not just dominance - that’s an arms race. The SEC’s depth is unmatched, and Tennessee will be right in the thick of it.
Joining LSU in the top five are UCLA, Texas, Georgia Tech and Arkansas - all programs with serious postseason aspirations. Mississippi State (No.
6), Auburn (No. 8), and Georgia (No. 13) join Tennessee in the top 15, while Florida (No. 16), Vanderbilt (No.
18), Kentucky (No. 21), Texas A&M (No. 26), and Ole Miss (No. 28) round out the rest of the SEC’s ranked teams.
That’s nearly half the poll - a clear signal that the road to Omaha will once again run through the Southeastern Conference.
And it’s not just about the SEC. The NCBWA’s Top 30 features teams from six different conferences, along with independent powerhouse Oregon State, which checks in at No.
- The ACC is also well represented, with nine teams earning preseason recognition - the most in the conference’s history for a preseason NCBWA poll.
It’s a testament to the growing parity and depth across college baseball, but make no mistake: the SEC remains the gold standard.
A New Era Begins in Knoxville
Tennessee’s season gets underway this weekend with a three-game home series against Nicholls at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. It’ll be the first official test for head coach Josh Elander, who steps into the spotlight after serving as a key assistant during the Vols’ recent rise under Tony Vitello. Elander inherits a program with momentum - and expectations to match.
The Vols open the year with an eight-game homestand, giving them a chance to build early rhythm before the schedule ramps up. After the Nicholls series, UT hosts UNC Asheville on Feb. 17, followed by a three-game set with Kent State from Feb.
20-22. Bellarmine visits on Feb. 24 to close out the homestand.
But the real measuring stick comes at the end of February, when Tennessee heads to Arlington, Texas, for The Amegy Bank College Baseball Series at Globe Life Field - the home of the Texas Rangers. That weekend slate is loaded.
The Vols will face No. 5 UCLA on Friday, Feb. 27, followed by matchups with Arizona State on Saturday and Virginia Tech on Sunday.
It’s the kind of early-season test that can sharpen a team fast - or expose areas that need work.
Building Toward SEC Play
After the Texas trip, Tennessee returns to Knoxville for a six-game homestand that leads directly into the SEC grind. The Vols will host East Tennessee State and Oakland in back-to-back midweek games on March 3-4, then welcome Wright State for a three-game series from March 6-8. A final tune-up against Tennessee Tech on March 10 will wrap up the non-conference slate before SEC play kicks off March 13 on the road at Georgia.
The beauty - and brutality - of SEC baseball is that every weekend feels like a regional. For Tennessee, the path to postseason success will be paved in these early weeks. A strong start under Elander could set the tone for a team looking to not just compete, but contend.
There’s talent on the roster, a proven culture in place, and now a fresh voice at the helm. Ranked No. 15 in the preseason and staring down a schedule packed with heavyweight matchups, the Vols have every reason to believe they can make noise in 2026.
Opening weekend is almost here. Let’s play ball.