Despite a disappointing loss last Saturday, Tennessee football is present in the initial College Football Playoff rankings for the 2025 season. The Vols came in at No. 25 in the first rankings of the season.
Tennessee boasts a 6-3 (3-3 SEC) record ahead of its first second open date of the 2025 season and its final three-game home stretch of the year. With three losses already, the Vols are all but eliminated from playoff consideration. Tennessee could spend the rest of the season in the CFP top 25 rankings but it will likely mean more for other playoff contenders who are looking for a resume boosting win than for Tennessee.
The Vols are one of nine SEC teams in the rankings, coming in behind No. 3 Texas A&M, No. 4 Alabama, No. 5 Georgia, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 11 Texas, No. 12 Oklahoma, No. 16 Vanderbilt and No. 22 Missouri. While Tennessee’s playoff hopes are all but dashed, the Vols could still have a real impact on the playoff race.
Vanderbilt has two losses. If the Commodores defeat Auburn and Kentucky their next three games then Tennessee will be the only thing standing between Vanderbilt and a College Football Playoff berth.
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It’s the 19th straight week that Tennessee has been in the College Football Playoff rankings, dating back to the final rankings of the 2021 season. Tennessee came in at No. 1 in the initial CFP rankings of the 2022 season, No. 17 in the initial rankings during the 2023 season and No. 7 in the initial rankings of the 2024 season.
Josh Heupel’s team made the 12-team College Football Playoffs a season ago by posting a 10-2 (6-2 SEC record). Tennessee landed at No. 7 in the final rankings which earned them the No. 9 seed in playoffs and a road trip to eventual national champion Ohio State.
The Vols jumped out to a 5-1 start of the 2025 season but has dropped two of their last three games. Self inflicted mistakes cost Tennessee badly in a road loss at Alabama and again last week versus Oklahoma. Tennessee gave up a pair of defensive touchdowns in both games while combining for four turnovers and a safety.
Tennessee is off this week before facing New Mexico State on the third Saturday in November. The Vols conclude the regular season with a road trip to Florida and a home matchup with instate rival Vanderbilt.
