The Tennessee Volunteers have dropped out of the AP Top 25 for the first time this season after a fourth loss sent their national-ranking hopes spiraling.
Tennessee entered the weekend ranked in the Top 25, but Saturday’s blowout defeat at home to Vanderbilt Commodores sealed its fate.
The 45–24 loss, combined with a 4-4 mark in conference play, was enough for poll voters to move the Vols off ballots entirely ahead of the postseason.
Still, Tennessee received 71 votes following the regular season finale loss.
Under the AP poll system, more than 60 sports writers and broadcasters nationwide cast ballots weekly. Teams are evaluated based on win-loss record, quality of victories, recent performance, and overall consistency. All of which has worked against Tennessee after four losses in 2025.
The Volunteers had been rising earlier in the season after a string of wins. It lead to Tennessee holding the 11th ranking in Week 8. It would be Tennessee’s highest mark on the season.
Tennessee saw plenty of movement in the polls throughout the season.
Week 3 -6 at No. 15.
Week 7 at No. 12.
Week 9 at No. 17.
Week 10-11 at No. 14.
Then in the 20s until Sunday when they dropped out entirely in Week 15.
However losses to key teams, including a narrow defeat to Oklahoma Sooners and the crushing loss to Vanderbilt, proved too damaging.
Vanderbilt on the other hand moved down one spot to No. 13 in the same poll.
With Tennessee now unranked, attention turns to its postseason destination and whether the program can regroup.
For Vols fans and players alike, the fall out of the AP Top 25 is another blow in what has become a frustrating campaign.
