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Urban Meyer Predicts Disappointing Year For Major Program

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated May 8, 2025 6:05 PM ET

The 2024 college football team was one for the history books. We saw a two-way player win the Heisman, a record-breaking running back outperform many quarterbacks and 12-team College Football Playoff.

But as the 2025 season rapidly approaches, Urban Meyer is expecting disappointment for one storied football program.

On the latest edition of The Triple Option, the three-time national champion predicted a disappointing season for the Tennessee Volunteers. He broke down every game on their schedule and determined that Tennessee would lose their games against Georgia and Alabama along with two of either Arkansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma or Florida.

That comes out to a mere 8-4 record for the Volunteers. Coming off a year where they made the College Football Playoff, that would be a huge letdown.

“I’d go advantage Tennessee but that’s going to be a tough game. That’s going to be a tough one,” Meyer said of Tennessee's opener against Syracuse. “I mean, on paper, Tennessee has got better players. That’s a fact. That’s the way it is.”

“I’m going to give them that one because I’m going to say they’ll split Arkansas-Kentucky,” Meyer said. “They’ll split Oklahoma-Florida. So, let’s give them one more win. That’s six.”

“I’ll tell you what. That’s another one,” he said of Vanderbilt. “They’ve got a heck of a coaching staff down there. That’s a rivalry game.”

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - NOVEMBER 30: Head Coach Josh Heupel of the Tennessee Volunteers looks on prior to the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Vanderbilt Commodores at FirstBank Stadium on November 30, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images)Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images

The Volunteers went 10-2 in the regular season last year, stunning No. 7 Alabama but losing games to Arkansas and Georgia which kept them out of SEC title contention. Nevertheless, they reached the College Football Playoff as an at-large bid.

But the Vols - like most other teams in college football last year - were quickly overwhelmed by Ohio State and were quickly eliminated by the eventual champions in 42-17 blowout on the road.

The 2025 offseason hasn't exactly given fans confidence either. In one of the biggest college football offseason stories ever, starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava decided to leave the program over an NIL money dispute.

The Vols are likely going to have to make due with former Appalachian State quarterback Joey Aguilar as their quarterback. While he's good, he doesn't necessarily inspire confidence.

What do you think the Vols' record in 2025 will be?

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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