Preseason bowl projections for Tennessee Volunteers entering 2026 season

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Yes. Yes. It is early. I know.

But the reason I like to see where the Tennessee Vols check in on preseason bowl projections is to create a starting point for outside expectations. Compare those to where the team actually ends up at the end of the season.

So, where will the Faizon Brandon-led Vols end up this year, per some of the pundits?

Kyle Bonagura, ESPN.com: Music City Bowl vs. Iowa

Mark Schlabach, ESPN.com: Texas Bowl vs. Oklahoma State

Brad Crawford, CBSSports.com: Texas Bowl vs. TCU

Brett McMurphy, On3 Sports: ReliaQuest Bowl vs. Illinois

That’s a pretty bleak group of projections for Tennessee. By way of comparison, a 7-5 LSU team went to the Texas Bowl last year. They lost to the Houston Cougars 38-35. So you’re very likely talking about a 7-5/8-4 mark for Tennessee to end up there.

Music City Bowl isn’t too much better. That’s a similar record range (Vols went there at 8-4 last year). Probably 9-3/8-4 range for the ReliaQuest (fka Outback) Bowl, which is a small step up. Playing Illinois again would rate about a 1.5 on the interest scale after playing against them last year in Nashville. But Tampa is nicer that time of year.

In short, it’s clear that very few people see the Vols as a true College Football Playoff threat this year coming into the 2026 season. And you know what? That’s ok. That’s something to sell to your players, and it lets you fly under the radar.

We’ll find out soon enough if Tennessee can subvert those expectations and put together a strong season. But even if they don’t, this season is still important to build towards 2027, when Tennessee’s window can really open up a bit with David Gabriel Georges coming in, Faizon having a year under his belt, and Jim Knowles’ defense getting a year to settle itself in.

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