University of Tennessee Athletics
Football Moves Back Into Top 15 Following Auburn Win
October 04, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee football is back into the top 15 of the national polls following its 24-14 second-half comeback win over Auburn on Saturday in Neyland Stadium.
The Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) moved up three places to No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches poll and were up two spots to No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25.
Tennessee is the sixth-highest ranked SEC team in the Coaches poll. It's lone loss was a slim 20-17 decision to Texas, who remained No. 1 in the polls for the fourth straight week.
The Vols are led by a stout defense that ranks first in the nation in sacks (23) and fifth in tackles for loss (42). They are giving up only 15.2 points per game, which ranks third in the SEC and 20th in the FBS. UT averages 240.6 yards per game rushing, a mark that is second in the SEC and 14th in the nation. Senior running back DeSean Bishop leads the way with 108.0 yards per game on the ground, which is 13th in the nation and third in the SEC. Bishop had a career game against the Tigers, rushing for 220 yards on 34 carries with three scores. All three marks were the most by an SEC player this season.
The Vols will play their 53rd consecutive regular season game as a ranked team when they travel to take on Arkansas at 4:15 p.m. ET Saturday in Fayetteville. The contest will be televised by SEC Network.
Associated Press Top 25 (Oct. 4)
1. Texas (61)
2. Georgia (6)
3. Notre Dame
4. Miami (2)
5. Ohio State
6. Alabama
7. Indiana (1)
8. BYU
9. Ole Miss
10. LSU
11. Texas Tech
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. Missouri
15. Tennessee
16. Florida
17. Mississippi State
18. Oklahoma State
19. USC
20. Iowa
21. UCLA
22. Houston
23. Boise State
24. SMU
25. Pittsburgh
AFCA Coaches Poll (Oct. 4)
1. Texas (45)
2. Georgia (20)
3. Notre Dame (1)
4. Miami
5. Indiana (8)
6. Ohio State
7. Alabama
8. BYU
9. Texas Tech
10. LSU
11. Ole Miss
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. Tennessee
15. Florida
16. Missouri
17. USC
18. Iowa
19. Houston
20. Mississippi State
21. SMU
22. UCLA
23. Duke
24. Pittsburgh
25. Kentucky
The Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) moved up three places to No. 14 in the AFCA Coaches poll and were up two spots to No. 15 in the Associated Press Top 25.
Tennessee is the sixth-highest ranked SEC team in the Coaches poll. It's lone loss was a slim 20-17 decision to Texas, who remained No. 1 in the polls for the fourth straight week.
The Vols are led by a stout defense that ranks first in the nation in sacks (23) and fifth in tackles for loss (42). They are giving up only 15.2 points per game, which ranks third in the SEC and 20th in the FBS. UT averages 240.6 yards per game rushing, a mark that is second in the SEC and 14th in the nation. Senior running back DeSean Bishop leads the way with 108.0 yards per game on the ground, which is 13th in the nation and third in the SEC. Bishop had a career game against the Tigers, rushing for 220 yards on 34 carries with three scores. All three marks were the most by an SEC player this season.
The Vols will play their 53rd consecutive regular season game as a ranked team when they travel to take on Arkansas at 4:15 p.m. ET Saturday in Fayetteville. The contest will be televised by SEC Network.
Associated Press Top 25 (Oct. 4)
1. Texas (61)
2. Georgia (6)
3. Notre Dame
4. Miami (2)
5. Ohio State
6. Alabama
7. Indiana (1)
8. BYU
9. Ole Miss
10. LSU
11. Texas Tech
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. Missouri
15. Tennessee
16. Florida
17. Mississippi State
18. Oklahoma State
19. USC
20. Iowa
21. UCLA
22. Houston
23. Boise State
24. SMU
25. Pittsburgh
AFCA Coaches Poll (Oct. 4)
1. Texas (45)
2. Georgia (20)
3. Notre Dame (1)
4. Miami
5. Indiana (8)
6. Ohio State
7. Alabama
8. BYU
9. Texas Tech
10. LSU
11. Ole Miss
12. Utah
13. Oregon
14. Tennessee
15. Florida
16. Missouri
17. USC
18. Iowa
19. Houston
20. Mississippi State
21. SMU
22. UCLA
23. Duke
24. Pittsburgh
25. Kentucky
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