'I Love Their Schedule': David Pollack Names College Football Powerhouse to Watch

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Dean Koutouratsas | Last updated Aug 6, 2025 6:20 PM ET

The Josh Heupel-coached Tennessee Volunteers went 10-3 last season and made it to the first round of the College Football Playoff.

Former ESPN analyst David Pollack believes they are one of the SEC teams that can reach the playoff in 2025.

Pollack Has High Hopes for Tennessee; Josh Pate is Skeptical

Fellow college football analyst Josh Pate said during a recent episode of “See Ball Get Ball with David Pollack” that LSU, South Carolina and Ole Miss have a good chance at representing the SEC in the CFP.

But Pollack thinks the Volunteers should be added to that list because of how manageable their schedule is compared to other schools.

“I love their schedule,” he told Pate, who said he’s waiting to see how the team performs on offense before adding them to his list.

“You very much believe in their defense, and I think they will be good defensively,” he added. “Can you have something from your offense and not turn the ball over? Let’s see that first.”

Last season, the Volunteers' offense ranked No. 12 in passing and No. 1 in rushing, while the defense was 10th in the SEC.

A Look at Tennessee’s Schedule

The Volunteers start their season at home in Neyland Stadium against the Syracuse Orange. Tennessee’s conference schedule includes Georgia, Mississippi State, Arkansas, Alabama, Kentucky, Oklahoma, Florida and Vanderbilt.

The games against MSU, the Crimson Tide, Wildcats, Gators and Commodores are on the road, while the rest will be played at home. The Volunteers also play out-of-conference games against the East Tennessee State Buccaneers, UAB Blazers and New Mexico State Aggies.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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