Spring practices and the transfer portal window have begun to give way to offseason fodder and rankings.

Among the fodder is ESPN’s Post-Spring Top 25—an updated version of the outlet’s "Way-Too-Early" rankings that were initially released in January.

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The rankings, which were released last week after spring practices wrapped up around college football and the spring transfer window closed, left Tennessee out.

The Vols were ranked No. 19 in January, but were dropped after a chaotic end to their spring camp, which included the departure of starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava.

A former five-star prospect in Tennessee's 2023 class who passed for 2,616 yards, 19 touchdowns and five interceptions in his lone season as the Vols' starter, transferred to UCLA in a highly publicized move last month.

Tennessee brought in ex-Appalachian State and UCLA quarterback Joey Aguilar to add some much-needed depth and experience to its quarterbacks room.

The uncertainty surrounding the position has seemingly been enough to worry the offseason pollsters. But where do some of the Vols' 2025 opponents stand?

ESPN had four teams that Tennessee will face next season in its post spring rankings, with Georgia leading the way at No. 4, followed by No. 9 Alabama, No. 19 Florida and No. 25 Oklahoma.

The Vols went 3-1 vs. those teams on their way to their to a 10-win campaign and their first-ever College Football Playoff berth last season, beating Crimson Tide, 24-17 and the Gators, 23-17 in Knoxville.

Tennessee beat the Sooners, 25-15 in Norman, and lost to the Bulldogs, 31-17 in Athens in late November.

The Vols' schedule, which was largely favorable a year ago, flips in 2025 with games against Georgia and Oklahoma at home and Florida and Alabama on the road in addition to a non-conference slate that includes Syracuse in Atlanta and East Tennessee State, UAB and New Mexico State at home.

Here is what ESPN writer Mark Schlabach said about each team in its post-spring rankings.

2024 record: 11-3, 6-2 SEC

vs. Tennessee: Sept. 13 in Knoxville

"Thanks to the additions of (former Texas A&M wide receiver) Noah Thomas and (Southern Cal receiver) Zachariah Branch from the transfer portal, Georgia's receiver corps, which was a problem area in 2024, might actually be a strength in 2025.(Quarterback) Gunner Stockton, who took over in last season's SEC championship game and CFP quarterfinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl, had a good spring and should win the starting job. (Former Illinois running back) Josh McCray led the Illini with 609 rushing yards and 10 scores last season; his physical running style will complement (returning running back) Nate Frazier.

"Coach Kirby Smart made Modozie a priority in the spring portal window after the Bulldogs lost NFL first-round picks Jalon Walker and Mykel Williams. Modozie had 6.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss for the Black Knights in 2024. Freshman Elijah Griffin, the No. 1 defensive tackle prospect in the 2025 ESPN 300, made a great impression in spring practice and should contribute immediately."

2024 record: 9-4, 5-3 SEC

vs. Tennessee: Oct. 18 in Tuscaloosa

"There's no question the Crimson Tide took a big step back in coach Kalen DeBoer's first season, but what team wouldn't after losing Nick Saban, arguably the greatest coach of all time. Alabama is too good of a program--and DeBoer is too good of a coach--for it to not claw itself back into contention for an SEC title.

"(Quarterback) Ty Simpson seems to be the player who will replace Jalen Milroe at quarterback, and the Tide added Horton as another proven pass catcher to complement (wide receiver) Ryan Williams. Former Washington offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb is also back after spending the past season in the NFL. There are future NFL players in the linebacker corps and secondary, but depth is a concern on the defensive line."

2024 record: 8-5, 4-4 SEC

vs. Tennessee: Nov. 22 in Gainesville

"Much of Gators coach Billy Napier's future seems tied to (quarterback) D.J. Lagway, who showed a lot of promise in his first season, throwing for 1,915 yards with 12 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Lagway was a limited participant in spring practice while recovering from a shoulder injury and other ailments. He has started throwing again, and Napier is confident he'll be fully healthy in offseason workouts.

"The Gators returned much of their offensive line, two solid running backs and a recruiting class that included promising wideouts Dallas Wilson and Vernell Brown III. If Lagway stays healthy, the Gators should build on last season's strong finish. But they'll again play one of the most difficult schedules in the FBS with home games against Texas, Georgia (Jacksonville) and Tennessee and road games at LSU, Miami, Texas A&M and Ole Miss."

2024 record: 6-7, 2-6 SEC

vs. Tennessee: Nov. 1 in Knoxville

"The Sooners didn't have much to cheer about in their first season in the SEC, finishing 6-7 for the second time in three years. Coach Brent Venables needs a bounce-back season in a big way, and he has transformed his offense to try to make it happen. Mateer threw for 3,139 yards with 29 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, while rushing for 826 and 15 scores. Ott was one of the top runners in the FBS with 1,305 yards in 2023, but he limped through an injury-plagued season last year.

"Gibson, an FCS All-American in 2024, broke his right leg during spring practice, but Venables says he is hopeful he'll be back before the start of the season. The Sooners were pretty sound on defense last season, and Thomas, Williams and Jackson are an imposing front. The secondary should be good again with Spears-Jennings and both Bowens returning. With home games against Michigan, Auburn, Texas (in Dallas), Ole Miss and LSU, and road games at South Carolina, Tennessee and Alabama, Oklahoma will have to be much better to be a surprise."

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