While Tennessee fans are going to be able to enjoy a relaxing weekend off with the Vols on a BYE, that doesn't mean Josh Heupel and his players haven't been hard at work getting ready for the final stretch of the campaign. Sitting at 6-2 following the loss to South Carolina, Tennessee has to win out to reach the College Football Playoff.
That's not going to be easy. Following the BYE, No. 9 Kentucky is headed to Knoxville. Then, the Vols will travel to Texas A&M, host LSU, and close the regular season out at Vanderbilt. Does this team have what it takes to go undefeated the rest of the way? We dive in on things below with our predictions for the final contests on the schedule.
Tennessee will keep the dominance over Kentucky going in Week 10
No one can argue with the fact that Will Stein has turned the Kentucky program around. Props to the Wildcats for being 7-1. However, the good vibes are going to come to a screeching halt in Knoxville. Neyland Stadium is going to be PACKED for this night game, and the Vols will enter kickoff a bit ticked off.
Look for George MacIntyre to have his best game, throwing for 275 yards and two touchdowns. Kentucky will work to make things interesting late to worry some members of the Tennessee faithful, but in the end, the Vols will head home with a 27-20 win under their belt.
Marcel Reed's struggles will continue in Week 11 against Tennessee
One of the biggest surprises this season has been how disappointing Texas Q&M quarterback Marcel Reed has been. He entered the year with Heisman hype, but thus far in 2026, he has thrown for 1,390 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
He'll hope to silence the haters and people calling for him to get benched against the Vols. However, Jim Knowles' unit will continue to look stellar, giving the Aggies all sorts of problems. An Arion Carter interception midway through the fourth quarter will set up a late Tennessee score to turn the lights off. Yup, Tennessee 31, Texas A&M 17.
Lane Kiffin's return to Neyland Stadium won't end well for him in Week 12
This might be the most difficult contest remaining for Heupel and his playmakers. You couldn't write this kind of script any other way. Tennessee vs. LSU in the second-to-last game of the year, with CFP hopes on the line. It will be a 'homecoming' for Lane Kiffin, who has done nothing but infuriate Tennessee fans in recent years.
The Vols won't need extra motivation to beat the Tigers, but humbling Kiffin sure will be great. Quarterback Sam Leavitt once looked to be Tennessee-bound, but Kiffin won that recruiting battle. He'll have a rough day at the office thanks to Knowles and Co. Just like the other SEC matchups, this one will be a thriller, but UT will find a way to be victorious. Tennessee 24, LSU 21.
Tennessee will handle Vandy in Week 13 to punch its College Football Playoff ticket
It's all going to be on the line in this one. Tennessee will head to Nashville on Nov. 28 at 9-2, with Vanderbilt ready to post an upset to end the Vols' season. It's not going to happen. Yes, anything can happen in a rivalry game, but not in this case.
Heupel is going to lean on star running back DeSean Bishop, who will finish recording 28 carries for 162 yards and three touchdowns. A blowout win to send a message to the CFP committee will be posted, and Tennessee fans will head home following a 42-17 victory. Book it.
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