TENNESSEE VOLS FOOTBALL: What will the '26 season look like?

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One of the harsh by-products of the 12-team College Football Playoffs is the fact that the pressure is on coaches to get their teams qualified.

It’s easier than four, so the expectations are greater.

That’s where Tennessee’s Josh Heupel is this season.

The Volunteers’ 10-2 record was good enough to make the first field of 12 in 2024. However, a decisive loss at eventual champion Ohio State in the opening round gave an indication that Tennessee wasn’t quite ready to compete with the elite.

Build on that and come back tougher than ever in ’25, right?

Well … not so much.

Tennessee struggled with an 8-5 record and took several steps backward. A “Hail Mary” attempt by quarterback Joey Aguilar to snag a sixth year of eligibility fell incomplete and the Vols could only grab an afterthought under center out of the portal.

That leaves two unproven rookies — George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon — to most likely bear the brunt at QB.

Heupel was a great college quarterback. He blossomed at Oklahoma, where he led the Sooners to the national title in 2000 and was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy.

Everywhere he’s gone as an assistant and head coach, he has generated impressive play by the signal caller. So, if the Vols are going to have success, Heupel’s going to have to do his thing.

It isn’t going to be easy. New QB. New defensive coordinator with a new scheme. Lost a big-money pass rusher before he ever played a snap. Loaded at linebacker. Suspect in the secondary.

Who knows?

Over the next couple week, we’re going to break down what Tennessee is likely to face this season — game by game. From a laugher against Furman on Sept. 5 to the finale at Vanderbilt Nov. 28.

This is a tough seasons for the expectations lumped on Heupel to be significant. Texas, Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU will make for one of the toughest Southeastern Conference gauntlets this season. Add in a pay-back game against Vandy and trap games against Auburn and Arkansas and the Vols will have to overcome some major obstacles in order to be part of the playoffs.

Anything less? It will be a long offseason for Heupel.

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