SEC Preseason Outlook
The latest SEC preseason media poll positions the University of Tennessee at ninth overall for the 2026 season, a placement that balances optimism about the program’s recent growth with lingering doubts about its championship pedigree.
Coach Josh Heupel, who steered the Vols to an 8‑5 record in the previous campaign, saw his team finish tied for eighth in the SEC standings during 2025, a result that aligned with the earlier preseason projection.
Georgia continues to be the clear favorite, amassing 88 votes to win the conference, while Texas is projected to finish second and earn a spot in the SEC Championship Game.
Other programs listed ahead of Tennessee include Ole Miss, Texas A&M, LSU, Alabama and Oklahoma, whereas the lower half of the poll features Florida, Missouri, South Carolina, Auburn, Vanderbilt, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas.
Historically, the preseason media poll has correctly identified the eventual SEC champion only ten times in the past 34 years, highlighting the inherent uncertainty of early‑season forecasts.
Looking ahead, Tennessee’s schedule will pit them against four of the top six projected teams and five of the bottom six, a mix that could prove pivotal in determining how quickly the Volunteers rise through the rankings.