Tennessee’s slide in the US LBM Coaches Poll was the immediate aftermath of a narrow loss that still carries real weight in the rankings.
After falling 20-17 to No. 1 Texas at Neyland Stadium in Week 4, the Vols dropped four spots to No. 17 in Sunday’s updated top 25. Tennessee is 3-1 overall and 0-1 in SEC play as the 2026 college football season moves into Week 5.
Texas, meanwhile, stayed put at No. 1 with a 4-0 record and 1-0 mark in the league. The Longhorns lead a top five that also includes Georgia, Notre Dame, Miami and Indiana.
Tennessee now turns quickly to Auburn, with the Vols set to host the Tigers on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. EDT.
ESPN will televise the game, which also brings Auburn head coach Alex Golesh back to Neyland Stadium. Golesh previously worked at Tennessee as offensive coordinator and tight ends coach.
The top of the poll held steady with Texas first, Georgia second and Notre Dame third. Miami moved up to No.
4, Indiana checked in at No. 5, and Ohio State climbed to No. 6.
Alabama sits at No. 7, followed by Florida, BYU and Texas Tech.
There was plenty of movement deeper in the rankings. Mississippi State entered the poll at No. 16, while Houston, Duke and UCLA also cracked the top 25. Tennessee’s loss was part of a wider reshuffling that pushed out Louisville, Texas A&M, Washington and Oklahoma.
US LBM Coaches Poll top 25 rankings after Week 4
- Texas Longhorns 4-0
- Georgia Bulldogs 4-0
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish 4-0
- Miami (FL) Hurricanes 4-0
- Indiana Hoosiers 4-0
- Ohio State Buckeyes 3-1
- Alabama Crimson Tide 4-0
- Florida Gators 4-0
- BYU Cougars 3-0
- Texas Tech Red Raiders 4-0
- LSU Tigers 3-1
- Ole Miss Rebels 3-1
- Utah Utes 4-0
- Iowa Hawkeyes 4-0
- Oregon Ducks 3-1
- Mississippi State Bulldogs 4-0
- Tennessee Volunteers 3-1
- USC Trojans 4-1
- SMU Mustangs 3-1
- Houston Cougars 3-1
- Duke Blue Devils 4-0
- Penn State Nittany Lions 3-1
- UCLA Bruins 4-0
- Michigan Wolverines 3-1
- Missouri Tigers 3-1
In Other News...
Tennessee Texas Finish Just Got An Official Officiating Twist
The Southeastern Conference added an officiating wrinkle to Tennessees loss to Texas, saying the Volunteers drop-kick onside attempt was handled incorrectly. The league said the kick should have drawn a five-yard penalty and a replay of the down because it was taken from behind the required 35-yard line, a violation of free-kick rules.
Even so, the correction does not change the result of Texas 20-17 win over Tennessee. For the Volunteers, it leaves one more frustrating detail attached to a game already decided by a narrow margin, even if the official ruling stops short of altering the final scoreboard. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees Secondary Just Took Another Brutal Hit Before Auburn
Tennessees secondary is dealing with another setback heading into Auburn, with sophomore defensive back Dylan Lewis expected to miss the remainder of the 2026 season because of a foot injury he suffered against Kennesaw State. Lewis had already been listed as out in SEC availability reports before the Texas game, and he was later seen in a walking boot, a clear sign the injury was serious enough to keep him sidelined for an extended stretch.
For a defense already managing other season-ending injuries in the back end, losing Lewis only tightens the margin for error. The Vols have had to keep adjusting their depth and rotations in the secondary, and now they head into the Auburn matchup with another important piece unavailable, leaving the coaching staff to sort out how to patch together a group that has been hit hard. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Are Stuck On One Faizon Brandon Debate
Tennessees loss to Texas left plenty of fingerprints on the offense, but the loudest postgame debate has centered on Faizon Brandon and how much of the struggle was really on the quarterback. Brandon finished 17 of 29 for 145 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, yet the bigger number was the sacks, with Tennessees protection breaking down often enough to make the whole night feel hurried and uneven.
Film analyst Brooks Austin pushed back on the idea that Brandon alone was responsible, pointing to a shaky run game and the lines problems up front as part of the picture. Josh Heupel sounded similarly measured, saying Brandon may have been sped up and stressing that the answer has to come from more than one player. For Tennessee, the uncomfortable part is that the debate is still open, and the film may only deepen it. [Read more 🡒]