Tennessee Volunteers Climb in College Football Rankings After Bye Week

Following a bye week, the Tennessee Volunteers football team has moved up two spots in both the Associated Press (AP) Top 25 and the US LBM Coaches Poll. As of November 9, 2025, Tennessee is ranked No. 21 in the AP Poll and No. 20 in the Coaches Poll. This improvement comes after the Vols dropped to No. 23 in the AP Poll and No. 22 in the Coaches Poll following a 33-27 loss to Oklahoma at Neyland Stadium.

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Tennessee (7-3) is set to host New Mexico State (3-6) on Saturday, November 15, with kickoff scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Eastern Time on the SEC Network. After facing the Aggies, the Volunteers will conclude their regular season with a trip to Florida on November 22 and a Senior Day matchup against Vanderbilt on November 29. The game against Vanderbilt is particularly significant, as it could impact both teams' standings in the College Football Playoff (CFP) race.

Where Tennessee Football is ranked in AP Top 25, Coaches Poll after the bye week

The Volunteers were ranked No. 25 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings released earlier this week. Tennessee's loss to Oklahoma was viewed as a pivotal moment in their CFP aspirations, with coach Josh Heupel acknowledging the disappointment but emphasizing the importance of focusing on their performance moving forward. “Ultimately, we’re not in control of any of those things,” Heupel stated. “We’re in control of what we do.”

Where Tennessee Football is ranked in AP Top 25, Coaches Poll after the bye week

The movement in the rankings reflects a broader trend in college football, where several teams in the lower half of the polls have faced losses. Notably, teams like Iowa, Wisconsin, and Missouri dropped out of the rankings after defeats, creating opportunities for teams like Tennessee to ascend. Despite the upward movement, the Volunteers remain on the periphery of the CFP conversation, with their chances hinging on upcoming performances.

Tennessee moves up in both polls after bye week

Tennessee's players have expressed a commitment to improving as the season progresses. Joey Aguilar, a key player, emphasized the need to focus on each game individually, stating, “Just keep fighting. We’re blessed to have three more games, and you just got to take it week by week.” This sentiment reflects the team's determination to capitalize on their remaining opportunities.

Where Tennessee Football is ranked in AP Top 25, Coaches Poll after the bye week

Despite the positive movement in rankings, some analysts argue that Tennessee's recent performance, particularly the loss to Oklahoma, raises concerns about their competitiveness in the postseason. Critics suggest that the Volunteers need to demonstrate consistency and resilience in their upcoming games to solidify their standing in the rankings and potential bowl game selections.

Where Tennessee Football is ranked in AP Top 25, Coaches Poll after the bye week

As the Tennessee Volunteers prepare for their next game against New Mexico State, they aim to build on their recent ranking improvements and maintain momentum heading into the final stretch of the season. With significant matchups against Florida and Vanderbilt on the horizon, the Vols have the opportunity to enhance their postseason prospects and potentially secure a favorable bowl game invitation.

Tennessee football moves up two spots in AP Poll coming out of bye week