Tennessee took a step back in 2025, but they still were a solid team. Not that it means much now, but this team wasn't far off from going 10-2 this year. With that being said, you can't argue the fact that they didn't, and that's not the standard in Knoxville with Josh Heupel at the helm.
The encouraging part is that Tennessee brings in a monumental recruiting class this year. Plus, they now have Jim Knowles calling the defense, which should elevate the group into an excellent unit next fall. Most importantly, Josh Heupel is not afraid to use the transfer portal and add quality starters to this team.
With the Music City Bowl around the corner, it's a great opportunity to get extra practice time for the young guys and another chance for Heupel to see what he has before the transfer portal opens up in January.
When it comes to the Music City Bowl, ESPN had a pretty bold take about it, and Vols fans most definitely won't like it. Bill Connelly called it "the disappointing bowl."
ESPN calls the Music City bowl a disappointment
You can’t overlook the fact that ESPN does have a point, but fans might not see it this way. It's a harsh, but mostly fair take. After making the College Football Playoffs in 2024, Tennessee wanted to build on that experience. Instead, they took a step back.
You can't write a story about the 2025 Tennessee Vols football team without mentioning the fact that their starting quarterback just abruptly decided to transfer last spring. Josh Heupel did an amazing job in a seemingly impossible situation. Joey Aguilar ended up leading the SEC in passing yards, and he became a fan favorite after everything happened with Nico.
The simple fact remains that the standard is the standard, and winning eight games isn't the objective anymore. Was it the worst season ever? Absolutely not, but it could have been more. So, from that perspective, ESPN does have a good point.
The good news is Tennessee will get upgrades, they will improve this off season, and in 2026 they will be locked and loaded for another shot at the playoffs.