Tennessee football will play the same SEC teams in 2025 as it did in 2024. But the venues will change.
Some of its opponents will, too.
So, I’ve ranked those opponents on whether I expect them to be better, worse or about the same. My conclusion: Tennessee’s conference schedule could be even more accommodating in 2025 than it was in 2024.
Georgia: Worse.
You shouldn’t expect the Bulldogs’ record to vary greatly from one season to the next as long as Kirby Smart is running the show. But their talent attrition has been substantial since 2021 when they won the first of back-to-back national titles.
I also question whether Gunner Stockton is the answer at quarterback. Nonetheless, I still wouldn’t count the Bulldogs out of playoff contention.
This should be UT’s best shot of beating the Bulldogs in a long time.
Mississippi State: Better.
That’s not saying much, though. The Bulldogs were the worst team in the SEC in Jeff Lebby’s first season as coach.
They lost promising quarterback Michael Van Buren, who transferred to LSU. But they return Blake Shapen, who was their starter until he suffered a season-ending injury in the fourth game of the season. They also added Florida State’s Luke Kromenkoek, who started two games as a freshman.
South Alabama transfer Fluff Bothwell could boost their running game, but they need more help on defense than offense.
Mississippi State’s average margin of defeat in an 0-8 SEC season: 17.5 points.
Arkansas: Same.
The return of Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green will be a huge plus. He improved in his first season and should make more progress in his second season under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino.
Braylen Russell and Rodney Hill should spark the running game. However, the Razorbacks likely incurred too many losses in the transfer portal to be any better than they were in a 6-6 regular season in 2024.
And they’re not nearly the upset threat at Neyland Stadium as they were last season in Fayetteville.
Alabama: Worse.
The Tide had to make the transition from legendary coach Nick Saban to new coach Kalen DeBoer this past season. That proved challenging.
But DeBoer’s second season might be more challenging, mainly because the Tide won’t have quarterback Jalen Milroe, who not only led their passing game but was their best runner by far.
Kentucky: Worse.
The Wildcats beat Ole Miss and lost to Georgia by only a point, which I still find inexplicable. But they lost six of their last seven games, including a regular-season finale to in-state rival Louisville, 41-14
Kentucky’s program is headed in the wrong direction. That shouldn’t change in 2025.
And it could lead to the end of the Mark Stoops era.
Oklahoma: Better.
Getting Washington State quarterback John Mateer was a coup for the Sooners. They also should be better in the offensive line and receiving corps – two groups that were decimated by injuries last season.
An improved offense should offset the losses of several star players on defense. But their schedule again will be brutal, and coach Brent Venables will be on one of the hottest seats in college football after two losing seasons in three years
Florida: Better.
By the end of the 2024 season, freshman quarterback DJ Lagway had become the face of Gators football. He has a strong arm, can impact the running game and has great instincts for his position.
Ja’Kobi Jakson and Jordan Baugh should give the Gators an effective one-two punch at running back. Both rushed for more than 500 yards this past season.
Florida’s biggest concern: Its schedule again should rank as one of the toughest in the SEC.
Vanderbilt: Worse.
