New Narrative: Vol Football May Be In Better Shape Than We Think
Image: Tennessee Athletics
By Cody McClure
ESPN analytical expert Bill Connelly has released his spring SP+ projections for college football.
If you’re unfamiliar with the SP+ projections, they are up-to-date analytical metrics that Connelly puts out consistently.
Connelly’s preseason projections are based on three factors — returning production, recent recruiting, and recent history.
They’re usually pretty accurate, too.
Tennessee Football is ranked highly on the list at No. 13 nationally (6th in the SEC).
It’s nice to see, as the departure of Nico Iamaleava has caused many in the national media to sell off Vols stock heading into 2025.
UT isn’t in the Top 25 in some preseason rankings from national publications.
Hell, they’re not even a Top 10 SEC team according to others.
But these cats can’t fool Connelly and his metrics.
He’s projecting the Vols at 8.8 wins and ranks Tennessee’s defense as the 7th-best such unit in the country.
UT also comes in with the projected No. 34 offense in America.
That wouldn’t be too bad, considering that some are viewing Joey Aguilar as a major downgrade at quarterback.
8.8 wins. Might as well round up to 9. Maybe 10 if the ball bounces the Vols’ way a couple times?
We’ll see how Connelly’s projections pan out this year.