If you were anywhere near Nashville on December 30, 2025, you probably felt that collective sigh of frustration from the Big Orange faithful. The most recent tennessee college football score—a narrow 30-28 loss to Illinois in the Music City Bowl—pretty much summed up a season that felt like a high-speed chase that ran out of gas just miles before the finish line.
The Vols finished the 2025 campaign at 8-5. Honestly, it's a record that feels better than it looks on paper when you consider the absolute gauntlet of the SEC, but man, those close ones really hurt this year.
The Music City Bowl Heartbreak
Let’s talk about that Illinois game because it’s the score everyone is still venting about at the local diners. Tennessee went into Nissan Stadium looking to cap off the year with a statement. Instead, they got into a slugfest.
Joey Aguilar, who’s been the engine of this offense, threw for 121 yards, but the real story was the ground game. DeSean Bishop found some room with 93 rushing yards, and for a while, it looked like the Vols would muscle their way to a win. But a late surge by the Fighting Illini flipped the script. The final tennessee college football score of 30-28 left a bitter taste for the thousands of fans who turned the stadium into a sea of orange.
It wasn't just the bowl game, though.
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The 2025 season was a rollercoaster of "what ifs." You've got the overtime thriller against Georgia back in September where the Vols fell 44-41. That game was a masterclass in modern football—high stakes, huge plays, and a Checker Neyland crowd of over 101,000 people literally shaking the foundation of the stadium. Aguilar was a beast that day, tossing four touchdowns and racking up 371 yards. Chris Brazzell II was basically untouchable with 177 receiving yards.
But as is the case in the SEC, "almost" doesn't count for much in the standings.
Breaking Down the 2025 Results
To really understand where this team is at, you have to look at the stretch of games that defined the year. They started hot, absolutely dismantling Syracuse 45-26 in Atlanta and then hanging 72 points on ETSU. It felt like the Josh Heupel era was hitting a new gear.
Then reality hit.
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The middle of the season was a mix of grit and gaps. They beat Arkansas 34-31 in a nail-biter but then got handled by Alabama in Tuscaloosa, 37-20. The loss to Oklahoma (33-27) was another one of those "one play away" scenarios that seemed to haunt the locker room this year.
Here is how the back half of the season shook out:
The Vols bounced back against New Mexico State with a 42-9 homecoming win. They then went into the Swamp and handled Florida 31-11, which—let’s be real—is always the highlight of any season for a Tennessee fan. However, the regular season ended on a flat note with a 45-24 loss to a surprisingly tough Vanderbilt team.
Why the Defense is the Big Conversation
If you look at the stats, the offense wasn't the problem. Tennessee averaged about 37 points per game, ranking them 8th in the nation. That’s elite. The problem? The defense was giving up nearly 30 points a game.
Ranked 92nd in scoring defense is just not going to cut it when you’re playing the likes of Georgia or Alabama every year. The secondary, in particular, struggled to get off the field on third downs, where opponents converted over 43% of the time.
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What to Watch for in 2026
We are currently in the thick of the offseason, and the buzz is already starting for the 2026 kickoff. The Vols are losing some key production, but the recruiting trail has been kind. George MacIntyre and Jake Merklinger both saw limited action in 2025, and the battle for the QB1 spot is going to be the main storyline of spring ball.
The schedule for 2026 is already looming, and the expectation in Knoxville remains the same: Playoffs or bust. With the expanded 12-team format, an 8-5 record won't get you there, but a couple of flipped results in those one-possession games would have had Tennessee right in the thick of the conversation.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're looking to stay ahead of the curve before the 2026 season kicks off, here’s what you should be doing:
- Track the Transfer Portal: With the defensive struggles in 2025, keep a close eye on any veteran defensive backs or interior linemen Heupel brings in. This is where the season will be won or lost.
- Watch the Spring Game: Usually held in April, this will be your first real look at the post-Aguilar offense. See if MacIntyre’s arm talent translates to the full playbook.
- Check the Eligibility Lists: Several key seniors have "COVID years" or redshirt options. Knowing who is actually returning for one last ride is crucial for setting your expectations.
The most recent tennessee college football score might be a loss, but the trajectory of the program under Heupel still has most experts leaning toward optimism. It's just a matter of finishing those fourth quarters.