Where Tennessee is ranked in ESPN's power rankings, Football Power Index and SP+

Tennessee Football moved up two spots in ESPN’s power rankings this week, going from No. 13 up to No. 11 after the bye week. The Vols are also ranked No. 11 in ESPN’s Football Power Index but dropped six spots in ESPN’s SP+ ranking. 

Tennessee moved up to No. 12 in both the Associated Press Top 25 and Coaches Poll this week, after spending the last month ranked No. 15. 

The Vols (4-1, 1-1 SEC) host Arkansas (2-3, 0-1) on Saturday (4:15 p.m. Eastern Time, SEC Network) at Neyland Stadium, with both teams coming off bye weeks.

‘Getting that deep shot element back in the Vols’ offense has been a big deal’

“Although the Volunteers are off to a 4-1 start,” ESPN’s Max Olson wrote in his power rankings, “quarterback Joey Aguilar believes they can be even more explosive going forward as he continues to master Josh Heupel’s system.”

Tennessee is No. 1 in the country in scoring offense and with Aguilar at the held leads the SEC in passing offense, averaging 337.2 yards per game.

“On throws of 20 or more air yards this season,” Olson wrote, “Aguilar is 10-of-19 for 443 yards, six touchdowns and one interception. Getting that deep shot element back in the Vols’ offense has been a big deal after Nico Iamaleava went 13-of-44 on throws of 20-plus yards this past season.” 

Chris Brazzell II has been the breakout star at wide receiver, catching 31 passes for 531 yards and seven touchdowns in five games. Mike Matthews has 22 catches for 370 yards and two touchdowns and Braylon Staley has 25 catches for 322 yards and two touchdowns.

“The wide receiver room was a bit of a question mark entering 2025,” Olson wrote, “but Chris Brazzell II has been outstanding as the fourth-leading receiver in FBS and second-year wideouts Mike Matthews and Braylon Staley have stepped up as well.”

ESPN’s Football Power Index gives Tennessee a 28.6% chance to go to College Football Playoff

ESPN’s FPI projects Tennessee to go 9-3 — 8.8-3.3 is the exact win-loss prediction — with a 28.6% chance to make the College Football Playoff.

Ohio State is ranked No. 1 in ESPN’s power rankings, ahead of No. 2 Miami, No. 3 Oregon, No. 4 Ole Miss and No. 5 Texas A&M. Then it’s No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 7 Indiana, No. 8 Texas Tech, No. 9 Alabama and No. 10 Georgia. 

After hosting Arkansas, Tennessee goes to Alabama and Kentucky over the next two weeks. The Vols host Oklahoma on November 1 and New Mexico State on November 8, go to Florida on November 22 and finish with Vanderbilt — ranked No. 20 in ESPN’s power rankings — at home on November 29.

“(Tennessee will) try to light up an Arkansas defense led by an interim DC this week,” Olson wrote, “before it’s time to hit the road and take on Alabama.”