David Pollack Predicts Tennessee’s Final Record Without Hesitation originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
The Josh Heupel-coached Tennessee Volunteers went 10-3 last season and made it to the first round of the College Football Playoff.
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This season, the Volunteers have the most manageable schedule in the country, according to former ESPN analyst David Pollack, who thinks that will help them win nearly the same number of games.
‘I’m Going Nine Wins for Tennessee‘
Tennessee starts its season at home in Neyland Stadium against the Syracuse Orange. Its conference games are against Georgia, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Florida and Vanderbilt.
The games against the MSU Bulldogs, Crimson Tide, Wildcats, Gators and Commodores are on the road, while the rest will be played at home. Tennessee also plays out-of-conference games against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, UAB Blazers and New Mexico State Aggies.
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“Syracuse will be ready to give you a fight,” Pollack said while reviewing the Volunteers’ schedule during a recent episode of “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack.” “Then you go to UGA and UAB.
“So all those games are at home, and then you’ve got Mississippi State and Arkansas, that’s not a world-beater schedule. Florida and Kentucky will be difficult.”
Former ESPN “College GameDay” analyst David Pollack.© Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Pollack said he believes Tennessee’s schedule is manageable because its toughest games are at home. “This is a good schedule for them,” he added.
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“This is an eight- or nine-win team for me because I think they will be closer to what they were offensively, but not defensively, and there’s so much I don’t know about, so I’m going nine wins for Tennessee.”
Can Pollack’s Prediction Come to Fruition
Pollack’s nine-win prediction for Tennessee is quite realistic and beatable, according to Athlon Sports, which has the Volunteers winning 10 games again.
The preview article notes that Tennessee’s offense features playmakers such as quarterback Joey Aguilar, halfback Peyton Lewis and wide receiver Mike Matthews. The Volunteers’ defense includes cornerback Rickey Gibson III and linebacker Arion Carter.
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A nine-or-more-win year might be up next for Tennessee.
Related: David Pollack Names Most Manageable Schedule in the SEC
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
