Where Tennessee Football's opponents are ranked in updated Way-Too-Early Top 25s
The first Way-Too-Early Top 25 rankings for the next college football season drop as soon as the previous season ends, right around the time the national championship game comes to an end. Now that spring football has come and gone across the country, it’s time for an update. Here’s where Tennessee Football’s opponents are ranked in the updated early rankings looking ahead to the 2024 season:
The Athletic
No. 2 Georgia | No. 7 Alabama | No. 13 Oklahoma | No. 21 NC State
Tennessee: No. 15
The Athletic’s Ari Wasserman on Georgia: “In today’s college football world, everything is about the transfer portal. But I won’t soon forget the importance of dominating high school recruiting. Yes, the Bulldogs added some key pieces in the portal — running back Trevor Etienne, receivers London Humphreys, Colbie Young, and Michael Jackson III — but it also just signed the No. 1 recruiting class and returns quarterback starter Carson Beck.The depth is off the charts, talent is in the Bulldogs’ favor and they’ll be back as monsters in the fall.”
CBS Sports
No. 1 Georgia | No. 5 Alabama | No. 13 Oklahoma | No. 24 NC State
No. 16
CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd on Alabama: “In Year 1 post-Saban, the expectations will not change as Kalen DeBoer takes over. Can’t wait to see how DeBoer’s downfield passing game translates to Jalen Milroe, who is the leading returning passer in that category (10.0 yards per attempt). When does the excellence run out? For the third time in four years, exactly 10 ‘Bama players were selected in the NFL Draft.”
FOX Sports
No. 2 Georgia | No. 7 Alabama | No. 17 Oklahoma
Tennessee: No. 16
FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt on Oklahoma: “Jackson Arnold will be Oklahoma’s quarterback, taking over for Dillon Gabriel. The Sooners return most of their receivers group (Andrel Anthony, Nic Anderson, Jalil Farooq, Jayden Gibson) and they fit Arnold’s game more than Gabriel’s. Arnold’s strong arm should pair well with those guys, who are downfield threats. They promoted Seth Litrell to replace Jeff Lebby at offensive coordinator.”
USA Today
No. 1 Georgia | No. 5 Alabama | No. 8 Oklahoma | No. 14 NC State
Tennessee: No. 17
USA Today’s Paul Myerberg and Erick Smith on NC State: “It’s always critical to be skeptical about spring football being an absolute indicator for success in the season. However, the Wolfpack have to be thrilled with how former Coastal Carolina quarterback Grayson McCall took charge of the offense and the arrival of Ohio State transfer receiver Noah Rogers. With rising sophomore KC Concepcion, N.C. State has two of the better young receivers in the country to pair with McCall in what could be the ACC’s best offense. The defense is still sorting out some key losses. DL Davin Mann should be a force. There are enough pieces to get this group in shape. And if not, the offense might just outscore people.”
ESPN
No. 1 Georgia | No. 9 Alabama | No. 14 Oklahoma | No. 18 NC State | No. 19 Kentucky
Tennessee: No. 16
ESPN’s Mark Schalbach on Kentucky: “(Brock) Vandagriff might not have the pocket presence of former starter Devin Leary, but he’s going to be a lot more mobile than his predecessor. It’s hard to take too much from Kentucky’s spring game — nine defensive linemen were out with injuries — but it was evident that quarterback draws will become a staple of the offense. Vandagriff threw two touchdowns and limited his incompletions. So far, so good.”
