ESPN explains why they moved the Tennessee Vols multiple spots in their Week 4 college football power rankings

The Tennessee Vols are already a quarter of the way through their 2025 regular season schedule.

Tennessee moved to 3-1 this past weekend thanks to their 56-24 win against the UAB Blazers.

The Vols will head to Starkville this weekend to take on the Mississippi State Bulldogs. It'll be Tennessee's first road game of the season.

Tennessee moves up multiple spots in ESPN's Week 4 college football power rankings

ESPN revealed their Week 4 college football power rankings on Monday morning and Tennessee moved up a couple of spots.

Last week, ESPN had the Vols at No. 16.

After the win against UAB, Tennessee is now at No. 14 in ESPN's power rankings.

(Interestingly, Tennessee was ranked below Alabama by ESPN last week, but the Vols are two spots above the Crimson Tide this week.)

ESPN's Bill Connelly pointed out Tennessee's explosiveness on offense as one of the reasons for the Vols' ranking this week.

"Joey Aguilar and Tennessee faced a unique test this week, needing to get back on track after a devastating loss to Georgia last week. Safe to say, they passed it," wrote Connelly. "Aguilar threw for 218 yards and three touchdowns and needed to play only one drive in the second half....The Vols are averaging 53.5 points per game through four games, and Aguilar has 1,124 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. They have an explosiveness that they lacked with Nico Iamaleava at quarterback last season, and the defense has been fine against teams not named Georgia."

The Mississippi State game will be a huge test for the Vols this week. Tennessee is the more talented team, but the Vols have been inconsistent on the road under Josh Heupel (surprising road losses to South Carolina in 2022, Missouri in 2023, and Arkansas in 2024 stand out).

If Tennessee can handle business against Mississippi State (while being explosive on offense), it'll be a sign that the Vols are on track to make a playoff push this fall.

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