Tennessee Volunteers 2026 College Football Preview, Betting Odds, Picks & Predictions

The future could be happening sooner than expected for Tennessee football with five-star quarterback Faizon Brandon making a push for the starting job this offseason. If not Brandon, the Volunteers will likely be starting another young gun in 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman George MacIntyre. 

Either young QB will be surrounded by four returning offensive linemen, 1,000-yard rusher DeSean Bishop, and returning top receivers Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews. The rest of the Volunteers roster is undergoing some turnover with 11 starters gone. 

Tennessee had one of the worst defenses in the SEC last year, so DC Tim Banks has jettisoned in favor of former Penn State DC Jim Knowles, who brings two assistant coaches over along with four transfers, led by edge rusher Chaz Coleman and linebacker Amare Campbell. 

Did the Volunteers have enough to compete in the SEC this year, or make the College Football Playoff? 

2026 College Football Betting Resources

• College Football Game Odds
• College Football Playoffs 
• 2026 Heisman Trophy Odds
• College Football Rosters
• SEC Conference Betting Hub

Tennessee 2026 College Football National Championship Odds

National Title Odds:

The Volunteers got beat by Vanderbilt at home to end the regular season last year and fell in a 30-28 thriller to Illinois in the Music City Bowl. Tennessee will try to get back to the CFB Playoff this year after making the program’s first appearance in 2024. 

There are 15 teams with shorter odds than Tennessee to win the National Championship this year. The Vols are getting +330 odds to make the CFB Playoff and +2200 odds to make the CFB Championship game. 

This program doesn’t seem to have the necessary personnel on both sides of the line of scrimmage to contend with the true national contenders this year. 

Bet: No

Tennessee 2026 SEC Championship Odds

SEC Title Odds:

After finishing 4-4 in conference play last year, the Volunteers are listed with the eighth-longest odds to win the loaded conference. However, Tennessee is just ahead of Missouri and well ahead of rival Vanderbilt despite finishing below both programs last year. 

Tennessee’s conference schedule is more difficult this season, which could benefit them in terms of tiebreakers, but will certainly make it tougher for the Volunteers to finish with one of the top records in the SEC. 

Bet: No

Tennessee 2026 Win Total Odds

Win Total Odds:

As mentioned, the Volunteers play some of the iron of the SEC this year with matchups against Texas, Alabama, and Texas A&M on tap, plus rivalry bouts with Vanderbilt, LSU, Auburn, and Kentucky. 

The Vols are projected for 7.5 wins this year with slight juice to the over. They open with two winnable nonconference games at home, sandwiched by a test at Georgia Tech. While they play several good SEC teams, five of those matchups are at home. If Tennessee wins the three nonleague games and goes 5-4 against SEC competition, that would be good enough for the over. 

Bet: Yes – Over

Tennessee 2026 Heisman Contenders, Odds 

George MacIntyre, QB:

Most books are holding off on Heisman odds for MacIntyre or Brandon until they see which QB earns the starting job for Tennessee. MacIntyre’s odds are 80/1 or 150/1 at some books where available. DeSean Bishop is considered an even longer shot at 300/1 odds, and the Volunteers don’t have any other candidates on the board.

Bet: No

Tennessee 2026 College Football Schedule 

• Sat., 9/5 – vs. Furman
• Sat., 9/12 – at Georgia Tech
• Sat., 9/19 – vs. Kennesaw State
• Sat., 9/26 – vs. Texas
• Sat., 10/3 – vs. Auburn
• Sat., 10/10 – at Arkansas
• Sat., 10/17 – vs. Alabama
• Sat., 10/24 – at South Carolina
• Sat., 11/7 – vs. Kentucky
• Sat., 11/14 – at Texas A&M
• Sat., 11/21 – vs. LSU
• Sat., 11/28 – at Vanderbilt