The University of Tennessee has officially released its football schedule for the 2025 season, setting the stage for another thrilling year of college football in Knoxville. Fans, players, and coaches alike are already buzzing with excitement as they look ahead to a challenging yet promising slate of games. The Volunteers, coming off several strong seasons under head coach Josh Heupel, are set to take on a mixture of traditional rivals, conference heavyweights, and some intriguing non-conference matchups in 2025.
The 2025 schedule marks an important year for Tennessee football, as they continue their climb back to prominence in the Southeastern Conference (SEC). With a high-powered offense led by talented quarterback Joe Milton III and a defense that is steadily improving, the Volunteers are hoping to build on their momentum and make another serious push for an SEC title and a College Football Playoff (CFP) berth.
### A Tough SEC Slate
As expected, the heart of Tennessee’s schedule is its SEC opponents. The Volunteers are part of one of the most competitive and unforgiving conferences in college football, where every game presents a potential challenge. In 2025, Tennessee will face some of the toughest teams in the SEC, including perennial powerhouses such as Alabama, Georgia, and LSU.
The SEC schedule kicks off with a bang as the Volunteers are set to host the **Florida Gators** in a highly anticipated early-season matchup. Florida, always a tough opponent in the SEC East, will be looking to improve after some inconsistent seasons. Tennessee will need to be at its best to fend off the Gators, especially in a home opener where the Vols’ fanbase will be ready to show up in full force. The game is expected to have significant implications for the SEC East standings, making it an early season must-watch.
Another marquee matchup is the rivalry game with the **Alabama Crimson Tide**. The Tennessee-Alabama rivalry has become one of the most heated in college football, with the Volunteers having their eyes set on ending the Tide’s dominance in the series. Alabama, coached by Nick Saban, has been a juggernaut for over a decade, but Tennessee has steadily closed the gap. The 2025 contest will be crucial for both teams, as the Vols look to continue their progress in the SEC West while Alabama looks to maintain its stronghold as one of the nation’s elite programs. This game is likely to be a battle for not only bragging rights but also playoff positioning.
The **Georgia Bulldogs**, reigning national champions at the time of writing, will also present a tough challenge for the Vols. The rivalry between Tennessee and Georgia has been building for years, with the Bulldogs’ rise in recent seasons making every matchup feel significant. With Georgia’s elite roster and championship pedigree, this game will be a test of Tennessee’s ability to compete at the highest level. It’s expected to be one of the defining matchups of the 2025 season.
Tennessee will also face **LSU** in a pivotal SEC West-East crossover game. LSU, always a formidable opponent under head coach Brian Kelly, will be looking to remain in contention for the SEC Championship. This will be another opportunity for Tennessee to prove that it is capable of competing with the best in the SEC, especially as the Volunteers aim to maintain momentum from the previous season.
Tennessee’s SEC schedule also includes games against **Missouri**, **Kentucky**, **Vanderbilt**, and a crucial road trip to **South Carolina**, a team that has given Tennessee some problems in recent seasons. These teams will round out the Vols’ SEC slate and will all present their own challenges. While Tennessee will be favored in many of these matchups, they cannot afford to overlook any of their opponents in what is sure to be a grueling season.
### Non-Conference Matchups
In addition to their demanding SEC schedule, Tennessee will also face several intriguing non-conference opponents in 2025. One of the most highly anticipated games on the slate is the **Oklahoma Sooners**, who will be coming to Knoxville in what promises to be an epic showdown. Oklahoma, a program with a storied history, will be making the trip to Neyland Stadium as part of a two-game series between the two schools. The game is expected to be a thrilling contest, with both teams looking to solidify their place in the national conversation. With both teams having championship aspirations, this game will likely be one of the most talked-about of the 2025 season.
Another notable non-conference matchup is with **Austin Peay** in the middle of the season. This game will give Tennessee an opportunity to build momentum and give younger players meaningful playing time. While Austin Peay is not expected to be a serious challenge for the Volunteers, it will serve as a warm-up before the heart of the SEC schedule and a chance to fine-tune the team’s game plan and focus.
Finally, Tennessee will face **UCLA** in a late-season non-conference tilt. UCLA, a program known for producing talented teams, will test Tennessee’s resolve as the season winds down. Though not in the same conference, this game could have playoff implications depending on how both teams perform leading up to this matchup. The Volunteers will need to be prepared for UCLA’s fast-paced offense and strong defensive schemes, which could present a different style of play than many of their SEC foes.
### Key Storylines and Expectations for 2025
The 2025 season will be a pivotal one for Tennessee as they look to continue their rise under Heupel. After a solid 2024 campaign that featured impressive wins and a high-powered offense, the expectations are higher than ever for the Volunteers. Tennessee fans are hoping for an SEC Championship and, with the right amount of success and a bit of luck, a potential spot in the College Football Playoff.
One of the major storylines heading into the season will be the continued development of quarterback Joe Milton III. Milton, who has had an up-and-down career at Tennessee, will be looking to establish himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC. With a wealth of talent surrounding him at the skill positions, including wide receiver, running back, and tight end, Milton’s ability to make plays and lead his offense will be crucial to Tennessee’s success in 2025.
The defense will also be a focal point for Tennessee, as they look to improve on that side of the ball after some inconsistencies in past seasons. Defensive coordinator Tim Banks will have a chance to work with a more experienced group in 2025, and the hope is that this unit can become more dominant. If Tennessee can improve its defensive play, the Vols could take the next step toward becoming an elite team capable of competing for national championships.
### Conclusion
The Tennessee Volunteers’ 2025 football schedule is shaping up to be one of the most exciting and challenging in recent memory. With high-profile SEC matchups, including games against Alabama, Georgia, and LSU, as well as intriguing non-conference games against Oklahoma and UCLA, the Volunteers will have plenty of opportunities to prove themselves on a national stage. The season holds great promise, and with the continued development of key players and a solid coaching staff, Tennessee is poised for a successful year. Fans will be eagerly anticipating every game, knowing that 2025 could be the year the Volunteers take their place among the college football elite.
