Three things that must go right for Tennessee football in 2026
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I think it’s fair to see the Tennessee Volunteers are entering a pivotal season in 2026. Tennessee saw its fewest wins in 2025 since Josh Heupel’s first season in 2021. As a result, some fans are getting antsy and want to at least see the team challenge for a College Football Playoff spot in 2026.
For what it’s worth, the Vols did make some notable improvements in the offseason. Respected defensive mind Jim Knowles was brought in to be the new defensive coordinator, and the team also spent big in the transfer portal to get some real difference-makers.
However, playing nine SEC games won’t be easy, especially when we don’t know what the quarterback spot will look like. Today, let’s identify three things that must go right for the Vols to be successful in 2026.
Quarterback decision has to be correct
As we know, George MacIntyre and Faizon Brandon are battling to be the starting quarterback. Both were top prospects, and there’s reason to believe in either as the starter. MacIntyre has been around the program for a year longer than Brandon, but there are concerns about his frame holding up in the SEC.
Brandon has all the talent in the world, but throwing a true freshman quarterback into a nine-game SEC gauntlet seems risky. The Vols would have welcomed Joey Aguilar back for another season before he was ruled ineligible, which could be telling.
No matter who wins the job, it has to be the right choice. You’re not going to compete in the SEC with bad or questionable QB play, just ask Auburn.
Defense has to be better
Tennessee’s defense actually did some good things in 2025. Only 11 teams in the country had more sacks than the Vols a year ago, and the unit forced 20 turnovers. However, there’s plenty of room for the run defense, and especially, the pass defense to improve.
The Vols were 73rd in rushing yards allowed per game and 113th in passing yards allowed per game. Both categories have to be better in 2026, and they probably will be with the new additions and Knowles at the helm. If the offense struggles to get going, which it may, the defense needs to be sturdy to keep the Vols in some games.
It hurts that Chaz Coleman, one of the premier portal addition, won’t be on the team, but this unit has enough talent to suprise some people.
Don’t lose winnable games
We know this has been one of the few negative things about the Heupel era- the Vols tend to throw away one or two games a year. In 2025, it was getting blown out by Vanderbilt at home. In 2024, it was the road loss at Arkansas. In 2023, it was getting dominated at Missouri.
It’s safe to say the Vols can’t afford to have a game like that in 2026. Games against Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Arkansas, Auburn, and South Carolina have to be wins if the Vols plan on getting to at least eight wins. There’s just not much margin for error this season.
If the Vols slip up against one of the apparent weaker SEC teams, they’ll have to make up for it by beating Texas or Alabama. It’s going to be easier to just win the games you should be favored in.
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