The Orange Tide Rises: A Game-by-Game Forecast for the Tennessee Vols' Monumental 2025 Season

The excitement for the 2025 Tennessee Volunteers football season is already palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating what head coach Josh Heupel and his squad will bring to the gridiron. After a promising trajectory, the Vols are poised to make significant noise in the expanded SEC, and our crystal ball offers a detailed, game-by-game look at how their season might unfold.

The journey begins with a pair of non-conference matchups designed to ease the team into competition and fine-tune their high-octane offense.

First up, the Vols will host UT Martin. This opener serves as an ideal opportunity for the team to shake off any rust, integrate new talent, and demonstrate their offensive prowess. Expect a dominant performance and a comfortable victory to kick off the season with a bang.

Following that, Tennessee welcomes Bowling Green to Neyland Stadium.

Similar to the season opener, this game provides another chance for the Vols to build momentum, execute their schemes flawlessly, and solidify their depth chart. This should be another confident win, allowing the team to head into their first major test with maximum confidence.

The real measuring stick arrives early with a neutral-site clash against NC State in Charlotte.

The Wolfpack are always a formidable opponent, known for their stout defense and disciplined play. However, with the Vols' offensive firepower and the likely pro-Tennessee crowd, this is a game they are well-equipped to win, proving their mettle against a quality Power Five opponent.

Then comes a true SEC baptism by fire, as Tennessee travels to take on the newly-minted SEC member, Oklahoma.

Norman is a notoriously difficult place to play, and the Sooners will be eager to establish themselves in their new conference. This will be a fiercely contested battle, but Oklahoma’s home-field advantage and established SEC-level talent likely give them the edge in a tightly fought contest. We predict a tough loss here.

The Vols will look to bounce back on the road against Arkansas.

The Razorbacks, under Sam Pittman, are known for their physical, ground-and-pound style. This will be a gritty affair, but Tennessee's offensive dynamism should be too much for Arkansas to handle, even in Fayetteville. Look for the Vols to secure a hard-earned victory.

A critical home game awaits as the traditional rivalry with Florida reignites in Knoxville.

Neyland Stadium will be rocking, and the Vols often perform exceptionally well against their bitter rivals on home turf. This is a must-win for SEC East aspirations, and we foresee Tennessee rising to the occasion with a passionate performance to claim victory.

The calendar flips to a date that always looms large: a home showdown with the perennial powerhouse, Alabama.

While playing in the electric atmosphere of Neyland offers a glimmer of hope, the Crimson Tide remain the standard-bearers of college football. This will be an epic struggle, but ultimately, Alabama's depth and consistency will likely prove too much, resulting in another loss for the Vols.

Hitting the road again, Tennessee faces an always-tricky opponent in Kentucky.

The Wildcats consistently present a tough, physical challenge, especially in Lexington. However, the Vols' overall talent and offensive system should allow them to overcome Kentucky's defensive efforts and secure an important conference win, maintaining their position in the SEC.

Back home, Tennessee hosts Mississippi State.

With a new coaching staff and system potentially still finding its footing, the Bulldogs may struggle to keep pace with Tennessee’s potent offense. This should be a game where the Vols can assert their dominance and secure a relatively comfortable victory at home.

The penultimate road challenge brings the Vols to Athens to face the dominant Georgia Bulldogs.

Playing between the hedges against Kirby Smart’s well-oiled machine is arguably the toughest task in college football. While Tennessee will battle fiercely, Georgia’s talent, discipline, and home-field advantage will likely lead to a defeat for the Vols in this high-stakes contest.

The regular season winds down with two more crucial home games.

First, a short trip to Nashville to face instate rival Vanderbilt. The Commodores continue their rebuilding efforts, and this game should be a straightforward win for Tennessee, providing a confidence boost heading into the final week.

Finally, the regular season concludes with a home game against Missouri.

The Tigers have shown significant improvement, becoming a legitimate threat in the SEC. However, with the passion of a Neyland crowd for the season finale and potential conference implications, the Vols should be able to dig deep and secure a vital win to cap off their regular season.

Our game-by-game prediction ultimately forecasts a 9-3 regular season record for the Tennessee Volunteers.

While challenging games against Oklahoma, Alabama, and Georgia are projected as losses, a 9-3 finish would be a testament to the program's upward trajectory under Josh Heupel. There's even a strong possibility for a 10-2 campaign if the Vols can snag one of those projected losses or navigate other tricky matchups successfully.

This season promises to be a thrilling ride, with Tennessee firmly in the hunt for a strong bowl bid and a competitive finish in the unforgiving SEC.