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ESPN adds Tennessee to College Football Playoff predictions after Week 1 win

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey09/01/25GrantRamey
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | Tennessee offensive lineman Jesse Perry (72) and Tennessee running back Star Thomas (9) celebrate in the end zone as Syracuse defensive back Ibn McDaniels (24) watches during the Aflac Kickoff Game between the Volunteers and Syracuse held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on August 30, 2025.
Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images | Tennessee offensive lineman Jesse Perry (72) and Tennessee running back Star Thomas (9) celebrate in the end zone as Syracuse defensive back Ibn McDaniels (24) watches during the Aflac Kickoff Game between the Volunteers and Syracuse held at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on August 30, 2025.

Tennessee’s 45-26 win over Syracuse on Saturday in Atlanta made enough of an impression for ESPN to add the Vols to a couple of its College Football Playoff predictions. 

Bill Connelly and Andrea Adelson, out of the nine total ESPN writers making their projections, have the Vols in their 12-team playoff field. Adelson has Tennessee as the No. 7 seed while Connelly has the Vols as a No. 9 seed. 

Adelson’s projection would have No. 7 Tennessee hosting No. 10 Florida State in the CFP’s first round. Connelly’s prediction would have No. 9 Tennessee going to No. 8 Iowa State. 

Tennessee was the No. 9 seed in the College Football Playoff bracket last season, losing at No. 8 Ohio State in the first round as the Buckeyes started their run to the national championship.

ESPN FPI gives Vols 50.4% chance to make College Football Playoff

The full 12-team projection from Adelson is 1. Ohio State, 2. LSU, 3. Penn State, 4. Georgia, 5. Miami, 6. Oregon, 7. Tennessee, 8. Notre Dame, 9. Texas, 10. Florida State, 11. Iowa State and 12. Tulane.

Connelly’s 12 team field is 1. Penn State, 2. Ohio State, 3. Georgia, 4. LSU, 5. Oregon, 6. Texas A&M, 7. Miami, 8. Iowa State, 9. Tennessee, 10. Utah, 11. Tulane and 12. Florida State.

Tennessee (1-0) got 247 yards passing and three touchdowns from quarterback Joey Aguilar in his debut. The Vols also rushed for 246 yards and got three touchdowns from their three running backs.

“Tennessee’s offense certainly didn’t look any worse off after waving goodbye to Nico Iamaleava,” ESPN’s David Hale wrote Sunday morning.

Tennessee’s defense forced two turnovers that produced 14 points, with cornerback Colton Hood returning a fumble 22 yards for a touchdown and linebacker Jeremiah Telander intercepting a pass early in the third quarter that later turned into a touchdown.

Up Next: Tennessee vs. ETSU

The Vols open the home schedule against ETSU on Saturday (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, ESPN+/SEC Network+) at Neyland Stadium and hosts Georgia in two weeks.

Tennessee is No. 8 in ESPN’s Football Power Index, which projects the Vols to go 9-3. The FPI gives Tennessee a 50.4% chance to make the College Football Playoff. 

Texas is still ranked No. 1 in the FPI despite its 14-7 loss at Ohio State on Saturday. Georgia is ranked No. 2, ahead of No. 3 Ohio State, No. 4 Ole Miss, No. 5 Penn State, No. 6 USC and No. 7 Oregon. 

Ole Miss moved up six spots in the FPI after a 63-7 win over Georgi State and USC moved up eight spots after a 73-13 win over Missouri State. 

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