Senior Staff Writer/Editor/Host
If we're being honest, the last couple of seasons have been frustrating for Tennessee fans. The Vols last reached the College Football Playoff in 2024, only to be dismantled by a grossly underseeded Ohio State team in the opening round. Since then, Tennessee has struggled to notch a signature win, with its last victory over a ranked opponent that finished with a winning record coming against Alabama in 2024.
That raises an important question: What should constitute success for Tennessee Football in 2026? Is simply beating a ranked opponent enough? Is bowl eligibility the standard? Should the Vols be in the hunt for a playoff berth deep into November? Or is making the College Football Playoff the only acceptable outcome?
Let's examine each possibility.
Beating a ranked opponent that finishes with a winning record would certainly end Tennessee's two-year drought, but that accomplishment alone shouldn't define a successful season. If the Vols finish 7-5 or 6-6 with a marquee win over Texas or LSU, would that really be enough? I would argue it wouldn't. Such a result would prove Tennessee is capable of beating a quality opponent, but it would also suggest the Vols failed to capitalize on the numerous opportunities presented by a schedule that should be manageable in several spots. One signature win cannot outweigh a season filled with missed opportunities elsewhere.
The days of simply making a bowl game being considered a successful season are likely over for any program that views itself as a legitimate contender. Sure, finishing 6-6 or 7-5 is better than going 5-7 or 4-8, but if merely avoiding a losing season is the standard for Tennessee Football, then there are much bigger questions that need to be asked about the direction of the program. I don't believe that's where Tennessee is as a program, and I don't think that's where the expectations should be. For that reason, bowl eligibility alone would not qualify as a successful season in 2026.
Now we begin getting into the more difficult questions. A team can be among the nation's top 15 and still miss the College Football Playoff. So, is being a top-15 program enough for Tennessee in 2026?
There is certainly an argument to be made. If the Vols are in playoff contention deep into November but ultimately fall short, that would be a respectable outcome for a program entering the season without an unknown in a true freshman starting quarterback. Under most circumstances, that would be considered progress.
However, Josh Heupel is entering his sixth season at Tennessee, and the program is coming off a disappointing stretch. While uncertainty at quarterback may provide some context, it cannot completely excuse falling short of the playoffs. At some point, roster development becomes part of the evaluation. If Tennessee reaches Year 6 without a quarterback ready to step in and lead the offense, that reflects a failure in long-term roster management as much as it does bad luck.
Because of that, I have a hard time labeling a season that falls just short of the playoffs as a success. Respectable? Absolutely. Acceptable? Most likely. Successful? Not quite.
With all of that being said, I believe the answer is clear. Making the College Football Playoff is what should be considered a successful season for Tennessee in 2026.
Accomplishing that despite the shortcomings previously mentioned would send a strong message that the past two seasons were not truly indicative of who Josh Heupel is as a head coach.
More importantly, it would signal that Tennessee is once again trending toward where the program expects to be, competing with the nation's best and playing meaningful football in December and beyond.
Of course, this is simply my opinion. You may see things differently, and I welcome the discussion. At the end of the day, we all want the same thing: to see Tennessee Football succeed and return to the level of consistency and relevance that Vol fans expect.
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