As Tennessee football prepares to open the 2026 season on Sept. 5 against Furman, the Vols' last game at Neyland Stadium is easily forgotten. But if you’re trying to project how this season might turn out, it’s worth remembering.
The Vols completed an 8-4 regular season with a humiliating loss to Vanderbilt, 45-24. Seldom has a Tennessee defense looked as helpless against its in-state SEC rival. Vanderbilt totaled 579 yards and rushed for 314 yards while averaging 8.5 yards per rush.
Why do I bring that up? Because it reminds you just how vulnerable UT’s last defense was. It saved its worst performance for the final regular-season game, but the performance against Vanderbilt wasn’t an aberration.
The Vols gave up 31 or more points to seven of their
eight SEC opponents. Kentucky, Mississippi State and Arkansas – who had a combined record of 11-25 - averaged 33.3 points against Tennessee.
Never mind how incompetent UT’s defense was. The Vols still managed to win eight games. If they could win that much with such a generous defense, that’s cause for optimism among fans.
Tennessee can’t help but be better defensively.
Jim Knowles is an accomplished defensive coordinator. The secondary has been strengthened with transfers, five or six of whom could start. The linebacking corps is deeper and more experienced. The Vols will rely on sophomores in their defensive line rotation, but assistant coach Rodney Garner’s track record for developing linemen tells you the Vols will at least be OK in that area.
Tennessee should be more than OK on offense, even though a freshman quarterback will be leading it. Faizon Brandon's lack of experience will prove costly at times, but he seemingly has the right skill set to run Josh Heupel’s offense.
He’s a running threat and reportedly has been accurate on deep throws in the preseason. Heupel’s high-scoring offense functions best when his quarterback can run effectively and extend a defense with deep-ball accuracy.
Also, it’s significant that UT coaches have been as impressed with Brandon’s work ethic and maturity as his physical talent. And if you must depend on a freshman to lead your offense, it’s best to support him with experienced players. The Vols can do just that with one of the SEC’s best offensive lines, two established wide receivers in Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews, and a 1,000-yard rusher in DeSean Bishop.
Tennessee should be able to lean on its running game, which Brandon will enhance. Tulane transfer Javin Gordon and Daune Morris should lessen Bishop’s load at running back. Promising young wide receivers, and an athletic tight end like Ethan Davis could further boost the offense.
So, what could go wrong?
Answer: Plenty.
No matter how much potential Brandon might have, he’s a freshman playing the most challenging position in sports. And even though the defense seems better fortified, it could experience breakdowns in transitioning to Knowles’ schemes.
A taxing schedule will include Texas, Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU – all ranked higher than the Vols in preseason polls.
There’s a counterpoint to each of those concerns, though.
Heupel’s quarterbacks at Tennessee and UCF have ranged from adequate to outstanding. None have been an abject failure.
Knowles has said the Vols have picked up his system more quickly than his previous teams did in preseason. That’s not surprising since three of UT’s probable defensive starters played for Knowles last season at Penn State.
As for the schedule, three of Tennessee’s four nationally ranked opponents will have to come to Neyland Stadium. Texas A&M will present the greatest road test, but UT’s other SEC road games are against Vanderbilt, South Carolina and Arkansas – three teams likely to finish in the bottom third of the conference.
The second half of Tennessee’s schedule – which will include Alabama, Texas A&M and LSU – will be more demanding than the first half. That’s preferrable when you’re starting a freshman quarterback.
So, it’s reasonable to expect the Vols to start fast, which would be in keeping with Heupel’s track record. In the past four seasons, Tennessee is 21-3 through the first six games.
The Vols should be favored to win five of their first six games, with the only loss coming against Texas. But Georgia Tech in Week 2 is no gimme, and UT will need to be at its best to beat Auburn the week after Texas.
Prediction: Brandon will show why he was such a sought-after recruit, the defense will be markedly better, and the Vols won’t stumble against an underdog. They still will be in the playoff conversation in late November and finish 9-3.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Why Tennessee football could make playoffs with freshman QB Faizon Brandon | Adams
