Tennessee’s 2025 regular season was a rollercoaster, and unfortunately for Vols fans, it ended with a gut punch. Just weeks after notching their first win at Florida in over two decades-a milestone that felt like a turning point-the Vols crashed back to earth with a stunning 45-24 home loss to Vanderbilt.
That’s right: Vanderbilt. The Commodores walked into Neyland Stadium and handed Tennessee its first loss in the rivalry since 2018.
And they did it convincingly.
The defeat dropped Tennessee to 8-4 on the season and knocked them down a peg to No. 9 in the latest SEC power rankings. It also marked the Vols’ worst performance of the year, especially considering the stakes and the opponent.
This wasn’t just a rivalry game-it was a chance to close the season strong, solidify bowl positioning, and keep momentum heading into the offseason. Instead, Tennessee was outgained by 200 yards and outscored 24-3 in the second half.
That’s not just a bad loss-it’s a program-check moment.
Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia was electric, piling up 433 total yards and leading an offense that looked like it belonged in a different weight class. The Commodores racked up 582 yards of total offense, while Tennessee managed just 382.
And it’s not like the Vols didn’t have their chances. They led 21-14 in the second quarter.
But from there, it was all Vanderbilt. The Vols couldn’t stop the bleeding, couldn’t find rhythm, and couldn’t keep pace.
Now, Tennessee awaits its bowl destination, but the focus has already shifted to the bigger picture. This offseason is going to be critical.
The Vols have talent, but consistency has been elusive. There’s work to be done if they want to take the next step in a loaded SEC.
Speaking of the SEC, the latest conference rankings saw a shakeup at the top. Georgia reclaimed the No. 1 spot after a gritty win over Georgia Tech.
It wasn’t pretty, but it was enough. The Bulldogs didn’t allow a touchdown and held off a last-second end zone heave to secure the W.
With Texas A&M losing to Texas on Black Friday, Georgia seized the opportunity and now heads into the SEC Championship Game with the top spot in hand.
Ole Miss climbed to No. 2 after a dominant Egg Bowl win over Mississippi State. That came just before Lane Kiffin’s stunning departure to LSU, adding even more drama to an already wild SEC season. Kiffin’s exit will be a story to watch, but for now, the Rebels finish the regular season riding high.
Texas A&M, once the frontrunner, fell to No. 3 after its second-half collapse in Austin. The Aggies had a shot at the SEC title game but let it slip away, missing out on Atlanta for the second straight year.
Instead, it’ll be Alabama facing Georgia in the conference title game. The Crimson Tide survived a thriller in the Iron Bowl, pulling out a win on a late fourth-and-2 touchdown from Ty Simpson to Isaiah Horton.
Alabama had to overcome a blown 17-0 lead and then forced a clutch fumble in the final minute to seal the deal. It wasn’t pretty, but it kept their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Alabama leapfrogged Oklahoma in the rankings, despite losing to the Sooners earlier this year. Oklahoma held on for a narrow win over LSU, staying at No.
- Texas, fresh off its win over Texas A&M, sits at No.
- Arch Manning had a big day, throwing and running for scores as the Longhorns dominated the second half.
With three top-15 wins, Texas is still very much in the Playoff conversation.
Vanderbilt’s big win pushed them to No. 7, even though they dropped one spot in the rankings due to Texas’ rise. Still, this was a statement game for the Commodores, and Pavia’s performance won’t be forgotten anytime soon.
At the bottom of the rankings, Arkansas held steady at No. 16 after falling to Missouri. It’s been a tough year in Fayetteville, and the regular season ended the way much of it has gone-on a losing note.
Here’s how the SEC power rankings look heading into the final stretch:
- Georgia (10 first-place votes)
- Ole Miss
- Texas A&M
- Alabama
- Oklahoma
- Texas
- Vanderbilt
- Missouri
- Tennessee
- LSU
- Auburn
- Florida
- Kentucky
- Mississippi State
- South Carolina
- Arkansas
With bowl season looming and the SEC Championship Game on deck, there’s still plenty of football left. But for Tennessee, the focus now turns to regrouping, retooling, and figuring out how to turn an up-and-down year into a launchpad for something bigger.