Tennessee enters the 2026 season with one of the SEC’s biggest question marks at quarterback. However, the Volunteers return plenty of talent across the roster to believe a 10-win season remains within reach.
Josh Heupel’s team appears positioned with a solid foundation with playmakers at running back, wide receiver, and across the defense. That combination gives Tennessee a relatively high floor, even as the quarterback competition continues through the offseason.
The Volunteers’ schedule naturally breaks into tiers.
Games against Furman, Kennesaw State, South Carolina, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt represent Tennessee’s clearest path toward five victories.
Road trips to Georgia Tech and Arkansas could prove just as important.
Georgia Tech has established itself as one of the ACC’s most physical programs under Brent Key, making the Week 2 matchup an early measuring stick. Arkansas, meanwhile, enters the season with a new head coach, new coordinators, new quarterback, and significant roster turnover. Tennessee will likely be favored, making it a game the Volunteers cannot afford to lose. Wins against both opponents will go a long way if they hope to remain in the College Football Playoff conversation.
Should Tennessee take care of those matchups, it creates a route for the Vols to reach seven wins.
The challenge to reach 8-plus wins begins with this next batch.
Tennessee must win its home games against Auburn or Alabama.
Auburn reunites former Tennessee coordinators Alex Golesh and Tim Banks. Alabama continues searching for answers at quarterback and along the offensive line. Winning both would position the Volunteers for a strong postseason resume entering the final stretch of the season.
From there, Tennessee’s ceiling could be determined by three games: Texas, LSU, and Texas A&M.
Texas brings one of the nation’s most talented rosters led by quarterback Arch Manning. LSU added former Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt and enters the season with one of college football’s highest-rated defenses, according to ESPN. Texas A&M returns veteran dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed and one of the conference’s more explosive offenses led by wide receiver Mario Craver.
Stealing one victory from that group could be the difference between a solid season and a double-digit win campaign.
Tennessee’s supporting cast may ultimately determine whether that happens.
Running back DeSean Bishop is expected to shoulder a larger workload after emerging as one of the SEC’s more productive backs. A consistent rushing attack could ease the pressure on Tennessee’s first-year starting quarterback while helping sustain drives in key conference games.
Defensively, Tennessee returns veteran playmakers capable of creating turnovers and ending drives, giving the Volunteers a chance to remain competitive even against the SEC’s top offenses.
While questions remain at quarterback, Tennessee appears equipped to compete for nine wins with an opportunity to reach 10 if it capitalizes on its biggest opportunities.
