Vols Slotted 8th in SEC Preseason Media Poll

Image: Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics

By Aidan Sidoti

TAMPA– With SEC Media Days wrapping up Thursday in Tampa, conference media members submitted their preseason ballots for the 2026 order of finish. Tennessee was slotted 8th in the SEC, one spot ahead of Florida and one behind Oklahoma at No. 7.

As Josh Heupel enters Year 6 on Rocky Top, Tennessee returns 62% of its total production from last season, 26th nationally, including 58% of its offensive starters and 65% of its defensive production.

FULL SEC PRESEASON POLL

1. Georgia

2. Texas

3. Ole Miss

4. Texas A&M

5. LSU

6. Alabama

7. Oklahoma

8. Tennessee

9. Florida

10. Missouri

11. South Carolina

12. Auburn

13. Vanderbilt

14. Kentucky

15. Mississippi State

16. Arkansas

Tennessee Football has been voted to finish 8th in the SEC this season 🍊

SEC Media Days came to a close on Thursday, meaning the conference’s media members placed their votes for order of finish during the 2026 season.

The #Vols were tabbed by the media to finish 8th in the… pic.twitter.com/b2luWgph46

— FOX Sports Knoxville (@FOXSportsKnox) July 24, 2026