Tennessee football is coming off its second ten-win season in three years and its first trip to the College Football Playoff. The Vols lost its first-round matchup against Ohio State, who went on to win the National Championship, but the Vols will look to get back into the CFP next season.
That might not be the case for Tennessee, though. According to ESPN’s way-too-early rankings and playoff bracket projection, they are projected to be on the outside looking in for the 2026 College Football Playoff field.
The way-too-early projection has four teams from the SEC in the 12-team CFP but no mention of Tennessee. ESPN’s Bill Connelly released the projected CFP field and left off Tennessee after its debut in the postseason tournament.
Ohio State holds the No. 1 spot in the CFP as the Buckeyes look to defend its championship. They are followed by No. 1 Ohio State, No. 2 Texas at No. 2, Clemson at No. 3, BYU at No. 4, Penn State at No. 5, Notre Dame at No. 6, Georgia
at No. 7, Oregon at No. 8, LSU at No. 9, South Carolina at No. 10, Iowa State at No. 11, and Boise State at No. 12.
It is no surprise to see Texas, Clemson, and Penn State back near the top. All three programs are ready to make another CFP run and overthrow the Buckeyes at the top of the college football mountain.
South Carolina also continues to find its name in and around future CFP projections. The Gamecocks are the popular, trendy pick for the 2026 season, with Lenorris Sellars returning as the starting quarterback.
Tennessee is going to have an uphill climb to get back into the CFP picture next season. The Vols have lost a lot on the offensive line and leading rusher Dylan Sampson.
Nico Iamaleava is returning at quarterback, but the offense will be different looking with new players throughout the unit.
