Brad Crawford of CBS Sports recently outlined his projection for the 2026 SEC slate, giving the Tennessee Volunteers an 8‑4 record that includes victories over Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt, while forecasting defeats at the hands of Texas, Auburn, South Carolina and Texas A&M. The model flags the Auburn and South Carolina matchups as potential turning points that could keep the Vols from cracking double‑digit wins.
A Promising Offense, A Questionable Defense
The forecast builds on Tennessee’s 2025 campaign, where the Vols finished 8‑5 overall and boasted the second‑best offense in the conference, yet stumbled in the final stretch, dropping three of their last five games, including a loss in the Music City Bowl. New leadership on defense is expected to reverse that trend.
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, who arrived from Penn State, brings a reputation for tightening units that have historically struggled in the SEC. Complementing him is strength coach Derek Owings, whose work helped the Indiana Hoosiers capture a national championship roster last season. Both hires signal a concerted effort to shore up a defense that Crawford describes as the team’s most questionable unit.
At quarterback, the Vols enter 2026 with uncertainty. Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre and true freshman Faizon Brandon are the leading candidates to inherit the starting role, and the coaching staff has even earmarked the Georgia Tech game as a crucial early test for the newcomer.
Crawford’s overall assessment places Tennessee a step below the league’s traditional powerhouses, noting that while the offense should remain potent, the defense’s progress will ultimately dictate whether the Vols can translate preseason optimism into a realistic playoff push.