Neyland 2 UAB v Tennessee

Tennessee Volunteers mascot Smokey celebrates with fans after a touchdown during the first half of the game against the UAB Blazers at Neyland Stadium on Sept. 20, 2025, in Knoxville.

 Photo: Getty Images/Johnnie Izquierdo

The University of Tennessee is ranked 20th in the Associated Press’ preseason top 25 football poll, with Vanderbilt failing to make the ranking.

Ohio State is ranked first, followed by Oregon, with No. 3 Georgia the first of nine SEC schools among the top 25. Also ranked from the conference are Texas (No. 5), Texas A&M (No. 8), Ole Miss (No. 9), Oklahoma (No. 10), LSU (No. 11), Alabama (No. 13), Tennessee and Missouri (No. 25).