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Tennessee football is ranked No. 20 in USA Today's too-early Top 25 for 2026, improving four spots since January. The team's expectations are boosted by a new defensive coordinator and key returning players.
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Where Tennessee football ranks in USA Today's too-early Top 25
Tennessee football's 2026 expectations are rising in at least one preseason measurement.
The Vols are ranked No. 20 in USA TODAY's too-early Top 25 rankings following spring practice. That's four spots better than they were ranked in January after the transfer portal closed.
The implementation of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles' scheme is a factor in believing UT could have a solid season against a difficult season, especially with plenty of additions from the transfer portal. On offense, the return of Mike Matthews and SEC Freshmam of the Year Braylon Staley at wide receiver is a positive.
"(The defense) looks to be the strength of the team that just needs some help from the offense to be in position to be a sneaky playoff contender," the USA TODAY ranking explanation said.
Half of the 16 teams in the SEC made the USA TODAY's too-early ranking: No. 3 Texas, No. 4 Georgia, No. 7 Oklahoma, No. 9 Ole Miss, No. 11 Texas A&M, No. 12 Alabama, No. 17 LSU and No. 20 .
Tennessee football is ranked No. 20 in USA Today's too-early Top 25 for 2026.
The new defensive coordinator for Tennessee football is Jim Knowles.
Key returning players for Tennessee football in 2026 include Mike Matthews and SEC Freshman of the Year Braylon Staley.
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The AP Top 25 and USA TODAY Coaches Poll will be released in August. But if this Top 25 media ranking holds up, the Vols have four ranked teams on their schedule from a preseason perspective.
Tennessee plays Texas (Sept. 26), Alabama (Oct. 17), at Texas A&M (Nov. 14) and LSU (Nov. 21). The Vols open the 2026 season against Furman on Sept. 5 at Neyland Stadium.
Here is the USA TODAY too-early ranking. Check out a team-by-team explanation here.
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter*@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.*
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football ranking in too-early Top 25 poll for 2026 season