Tennessee football is turning heads this season. Their latest win over Kentucky just gave them another boost in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
With a convincing 56-34 victory in Week 9 of the 2025 season, the Volunteers have jumped three spots up to No. 14. Now, as they get ready for No. 18 Oklahoma, let’s take a closer look at their wild journey and what might be next for this scrappy team.
The Volunteers’ Rise in the Rankings
The Tennessee Volunteers sit at 6-2 overall, and they’re 3-2 in the SEC. Their recent win against Kentucky wasn’t just good for the mood—it also helped them climb in the US LBM Coaches Poll.
Moving up three spots to No. 14 says a lot about their grit and effort. It’s been a steady climb, and honestly, they’ve earned it.
Key Factors Behind Tennessee’s Success
So, what’s driving Tennessee’s rise?
- Strong Offensive Performance: The offense has been explosive, dropping 56 points on Kentucky—can’t argue with that.
- Resilient Defense: The defense has had some bumps, but they’ve made big stops when it mattered most.
- Coaching Excellence: Credit where it’s due—the coaching staff has kept the team prepared and made some smart calls along the way.
Upcoming Challenge: Facing Oklahoma
Next up? A big-time matchup against No. 18 Oklahoma. The Sooners are also 6-2, but they’re 2-2 in the SEC and just fell seven spots after losing to Ole Miss, 34-26.
This one’s happening November 1 at Neyland Stadium. Should be a good one—there’s a lot on the line for both teams.
What to Expect from the Oklahoma Game
This game feels like a real gut-check for Tennessee. Here’s what I’ll be watching for:
- Quarterback Duel: Both squads have QBs who can flip the script in a hurry. Could get wild.
- Defensive Strategies: Each defense will need to get creative to slow down some pretty dangerous offenses.
- Home Advantage: Neyland Stadium is no joke—Tennessee’s crowd could make a real difference.
Current Top 25 Poll Standings
Here’s how the US LBM Coaches Poll shakes out right now, top 25 style:
- Ohio State (7-0)
- Indiana (8-0)
- Texas A&M (8-0)
- Alabama (7-1)
- Georgia (6-1)
- Oregon (7-1)
- Georgia Tech (8-0)
- Ole Miss (7-1)
- Miami (6-1)
- BYU (8-0)
- Vanderbilt (7-1)
- Notre Dame (5-2)
- Texas Tech (7-1)
- Tennessee (6-2)
- Virginia (7-1)
- Cincinnati (7-1)
- Louisville (6-1)
- Oklahoma (6-2)
- Missouri (6-2)
- Texas (6-2)
- Michigan (6-2)
- Houston (7-1)
- Navy (7-0)
- Utah (6-2)
- Memphis (7-1)
Teams That Dropped Out
Some teams just fell out of the top 25:
- No. 19 LSU
- No. 20 South Florida
- No. 23 Illinois
- No. 25 Arizona State
Others Receiving Votes
There are a handful of teams still getting votes—maybe we’ll see them crack the rankings soon if things break right:
- Iowa (85 votes)
- USC (77 votes)
- Tulane (65 votes)
- Washington (60 votes)
- South Florida (24 votes)
- LSU (19 votes)
- James Madison (18 votes)
- Pittsburgh (15 votes)
- San Diego State (14 votes)
- North Texas (11 votes)
- TCU (7 votes)
- UNLV (6 votes)
- Nebraska (4 votes)
- Arizona State (2 votes)
- Wake Forest (1 vote)
- Boise State (1 vote)
Looking Ahead
Tennessee’s got a big one coming up against Oklahoma. The stakes? Pretty high.
If they pull off a win, it could really lock in their spot in the rankings. That kind of boost does wonders for a team’s confidence as the season drags on.
People are watching—fans, analysts, you name it. Everyone’s curious if the Volunteers can keep this momentum rolling and keep climbing in the polls.
For more detailed coverage and updates on Tennessee football, check out the Knox News.
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