Tennessee football is coming off its first College Football Playoff appearance since the postseason format was introduced in 2014. The Vols won ten games for the second time in three years, and Josh Heupel's squad will look to be back in the CFP mix in 2025.
It could come down to one key game to determine whether Tennessee makes or misses the College Football Playoff this year, which is Tennessee's biggest rivalry game.
Tennessee plays Alabama in Tuscaloosa this year in a critical, "season-defining" game for the Volunteers. We've seen Tennessee make the series competitive after 15 years of dominance under Nick Saban.
The Vols have won two of the last three against Alabama, but the Crimson Tide could very easily get even with Tennessee this year, given the game being in T-Town. ESPN has also labeled it a season-defining game for Tennessee this year.
"The Third Saturday in October is officially back, Harry Lyles Jr. writes. "After Alabama ripped off 15 consecutive wins over Tennessee from 2007 to 2021, the streak was snapped in 2022. In 2025, the Volunteers will make the trip to Tuscaloosa in what could be the toughest game on their schedule all season.
"Nico Iamaleava has some of the greatest potential of any player in the country, and showing a leap in his second year as the starting quarterback is important for the success of coach Josh Heupel's team. Iamaleava and the Volunteers could make a huge statement with a second straight win, and third in four years, over Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium."
Tennessee has also been named Alabama's "season-defining game" for the upcoming season. Both teams could be borderline CFP teams, and the Third Saturday in October could decide which team makes next year's Playoffs.
The Vols' trip to Gainsville could also be critical for Tennessee making the CFP. If Tennessee can't win either of those road games, they will have no room for error with the rest of their schedule, and it has been over two decades since Tennessee has won in Gainsville or Tuscaloosa.