ESPN REVIEW: Tennessee star player has announces his leaving after the match due to his……
In ESPN’s updated SP+ projections, Tennessee Football is ranked 15th. These projections, developed by Bill Connelly, are based on returning production, recent recruiting, and historical performance. They serve as early offseason power rankings, rather than predictions for the AP Top 25.
The SP+ rankings placed Tennessee 14th in offense, 19th in defense, and 52nd in special teams. According to these projections, the Vols have a 23.4% chance of achieving a 10-2 record or better.
Tennessee’s 2024 schedule is ranked 21st in terms of strength. Key opponents include Georgia (No. 1), Alabama (No. 5), Oklahoma (No. 15), Kentucky (No. 25), and North Carolina State (No. 29). Other notable teams on the schedule are Florida (No. 33), South Carolina (No. 43), and Arkansas (No. 46), with Vanderbilt at No. 97, UTEP at No. 125, and Kent State at No. 129.
Recently, Tennessee moved up to No. 15 in ESPN’s post-spring football top 25, two spots higher than their previous ranking. Four of Tennessee’s opponents are also ranked in ESPN’s top 25: Georgia (No. 1), Alabama (No. 7), North Carolina State (No. 13), and Oklahoma (No. 18).
ESPN’s Mark Schlabach noted Tennessee’s challenging schedule, highlighting early non-conference games against NC State, and away games at Oklahoma and Georgia, with Alabama at home. He suggested that if Nico Iamaleava lives up to expectations, the Vols could re-enter playoff contention. Schlabach also pointed out that Tennessee’s offensive performance dipped in 2023, but with Iamaleava stepping in, there’s potential for improvement.
