We've reached Week 9 of the college football season, and Tennessee's chance to enjoy some time off before hosting Kentucky for a gigantic clash on Nov. 7 at Neyland Stadium. With the Vols at 6-2 on the year, there's still a ton to play for the rest of the way, of course, including a shot at the College Football Playoff.
While there have been a ton of positives throughout the first eight games of the year, not everything has been glamorous. In this piece, it's time to take a look at the negatives that have stood out the most in 2026, including the big swing and a miss in the transfer portal.
4. Not having Chaz Coleman pan out for Tennessee still hurts
It's hard to bring up the pass rush when that part of the Vols' defense has been downright spectacular, but it's easy to forget that 5-star transfer Chaz Coleman was supposed to be part of the group. It was a big deal when Coleman committed to the Vols.
However, the relationship quickly went south during spring ball, and then he eventually left the program. Tennessee reportedly spent around $2-3 million to land Coleman over other powerhouses, but he never played a down for Josh Heupel. That money could have gone elsewhere, which is unfortunate.
3. The offensive line continues to struggle for Tennessee
When you have a first-year starting quarterback, the last thing needed during SEC play is for your offensive line to look off. That has been the case for the Vols in the two losses to Texas and South Carolina, respectively. This was supposed to be a strong unit.
However, offensive line coach Glen Elarbee has left the Tennessee faithful quite frustrated at times this fall. In the loss to SC alone, a David Sanders Jr. hold took a TD off the board. Then with the game on the line, the pressure on George MacIntyre led to a forced fumble with less than a minute to go. Can't happen. Losing stud guard Wendell Moe Jr. for the season was back-breaking, too.
2. Faizon Brandon has failed to live up to his 5-star hype
It's unfair to put so much pressure on an 18-year-old quarterback, but when Tennessee broke the bank NIL-wise to get Faizon Brandon to town, the expectations were always going to be high. Once he won the starting job, all eyes were going to be on him all season.
The first three games were wonderful. After that, not so much. Brandon got benched midway through the Auburn game, and he hasn't taken the field since. On the year, he's thrown for 697 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. On paper, sure, that looks solid.
However, once SEC play arrived, he looked like a totally different player. For now, Brandon is on our disappointments list, but there's more than enough time for him to turn his Vols career around. The worry, though, is that if MacIntyre hangs on to the starting job, might Brandon enter the transfer portal this winter?
1. Tennessee's lack of discipline all comes back to Josh Heupel
It's been an issue that has people ticked off. You know what, in the loss to South Carolina, I was pretty dang disgusted with it too - yup, the penalties. They're inexcusable, and while people can be angry all they want about the three G-Mac touchdowns being taken off the board, the right calls were made, and rules are rules.
Against the Gamecocks, 12 penalties for 90 yards cost Tennessee a win, period. Not only that, but Heupel admitting that MacIntyre got the play-call wrong late in the 4th quarter coming out of a timeout spoke to a total lack of focus. That's on Heupel to make sure his guys are in the right mindset. It's the tiny details that can make or break a game for a squad. Heupel has to get this cleaned up if the Vols want to finish the year 4-0 to get to the CFP.
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