The latest AP Poll is out, and for the first time in a long time, Tennessee basketball is on the outside looking in. After a second-half collapse against Kentucky knocked them out of the rankings last week-ending a remarkable 90-week run in the Top 25, the longest active streak in the country-the Vols are still waiting to climb back in.
They made a strong case with a gritty road win over Alabama, a ranked team, just days ago. But when the poll dropped, Tennessee landed just outside the cut, effectively sitting at No. 26 with 88 votes-the highest among unranked teams.
For a program that’s beaten the likes of Houston, Louisville, and now Alabama this season, it’s a tough pill to swallow. But the message is clear: the voters want more consistency.
And the Vols will have a chance to deliver exactly that this week.
A pivotal stretch begins in Athens
Tennessee’s road back into the rankings won’t be a stroll. It starts with a tricky trip to Athens to face Georgia, who sit at 16-4 despite a lopsided loss to Texas over the weekend.
The Bulldogs, known for pushing the pace and pressuring defenses in transition, bring one of the fastest offenses in the country. Tennessee will need to match that tempo without losing control-something that’s easier said than done in a hostile SEC environment.
Rick Barnes knows the challenge of staying grounded after a big win, and he’s already working to keep his group focused. After the Alabama victory, he didn’t sugarcoat the reality of life in the SEC.
“I think the biggest thing is young guys don’t realize how hard it is to win,” Barnes said. “And if you go into a game in this league, you have to go in expecting it to be a dog fight right to the very end. If you’re not ready to play, any team in this league can embarrass you.”
That mindset will be crucial against Georgia, a team capable of turning mistakes into points in a hurry. Tennessee’s defense has been a strength all season, but containing Georgia’s tempo will test their discipline and depth.
Auburn awaits in Knoxville
After the Georgia game, things don’t get any easier. Tennessee returns home to face Auburn on Saturday night in what should be a raucous environment at Thompson-Boling Arena. The Tigers, sitting at 13-7, have had their ups and downs this season but come in riding a three-game win streak with victories over South Carolina, Ole Miss, and Florida.
Auburn’s recent form suggests they’re starting to find their rhythm, and Bruce Pearl’s squad always brings intensity. For Tennessee, it’s another chance to prove they belong back in the national conversation-and back in the Top 25.
The road back is there-if the Vols can take it
This week offers Tennessee a clear path forward: beat two quality SEC opponents, and the AP voters will almost certainly take notice. But as Barnes emphasized, nothing comes easy in this league. Every possession matters, every defensive rotation counts, and every mental lapse can swing a game.
The Vols have the talent. They’ve shown they can beat top-tier teams. Now it’s about stringing it together, staying locked in, and proving that their brief absence from the rankings was just that-brief.