Ranking the top 10 teams for the 2025 college football season

9. Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee is among several SEC teams with the potential to remain in the playoff hunt throughout the 2025 season. The Volunteers had a top-20 offense in 2024 but will lose a big piece from that unit with running back Dylan Sampson off to the NFL. Josh Heupel has addressed that by adding Star Thomas in the transfer portal. The Vols also brought in Amari Jefferson to add depth to a receiving room losing multiple players. 

Tennessee also had a top-10 defense in 2024, and while it will lose star pass rusher James Pearce Jr., the return of leading tackler Arion Carter, among others, should provide a boost. Ultimately, Tennessee’s 2025 success may hinge on quarterback Nico Iamaleava taking another step forward and playing better in the Vols’ big games. A Week 3 home matchup against Georgia and road contests at Alabama and Florida will be crucial, but the Vols’ roster seems talented enough to earn another playoff berth.