It’s that time of the season where the oddsmakers set the win totals for the 2025 season. Going into the Spring, Fanduel had the Vols win total set to O/U 9.5 wins. Personally, I think that was a fair total. Tennessee had lost several key players from the 2024 team including the SEC leading rusher Dylan Sampson, first round edge James Pearce, and center Cooper Mays who started 45 games. But there still was plenty of talent returning, a strong incoming freshman class, and several key transfer additions.
With the departure of Nico Iamaleava to UCLA, Fanduel has updated their win total for the Vols to 8.5. Tennessee dropped from the 8th best odds to win the National Title to 12th.
Again, I think this is a fair number. There will be a new QB under center this season whether that’s Joey Aguilar, Jake Merklinger, or George MacIntyre. They will also be breaking in a new center, as well as several new WRs that are talented, but young.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Tennessee win 7 games if there is poor QB play, but I also see 9 or 10 wins if the Vols quarterback plays well. Tennessee has upgraded their offensive line through the portal and high school recruiting, there are proven running backs in DeSean Bishop & Peyton Lewis, and the defense returns a healthy amount of players from last year’s Top 10 defense.
ESPN originally had the Vols ranked 19th in their “Way Too Early Top 25” in January, and have since dropped Tennessee out of the Top-25 with the departure of Iamaleava.
Tennessee is currently a 12.5 point favorite against Syracuse for their opening game in Atlanta.
Titans Sign Five of Their Nine Draft Picks
On Thursday, the Titans were able to reach deals with the following draft picks:
Kevin Winston Jr, Safety: 3rd Round Pick from Penn State
Elic Ayomanor, Wide Receiver: 4th Round Pick from Stanford
Jackson Slater, Guard: 5th Round Pick from Sacramento State
Marcus Harris, Cornerback: 6th Round Pick from Cal
Kalel Mullings, Running back: 6th Round Pick from Michigan
Quarterback Cam Ward (1st Round, Miami), outside linebacker Oluwafemi Oladejo (2nd Round, UCLA), receiver Chimere Dike (4th Round, Florida), and tight end Gunnar Helm (4th Round, Texas) still remain unsigned.
The nine draft picks along with the undrafted free agents arrived in Nashville on Thursday for Rookie Minicamp.