KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee football team begins the season ranked No. 25 in the preseason Associated Press Poll that was released on Monday. The Volunteers came in at No. 24 in the Amway Preseason Coaches Poll as well, which was announced earlier this month.
The Big Orange has now been ranked in both preseason polls for three consecutive years, one of only 10 teams in the nation to accomplish that feat. It also marks the first time in nine years (2006-07-2008) the Vols have had a three-season stretch of preseason rankings in the AP Poll.
Tennessee began last season ranked No. 9 in the AP Poll after starting at No. 25 in 2015. The Orange and White finished the 2016 season ranked 22nd after defeating No. 24 Nebraska, 38-24, in the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl.
Tennessee is 15-4 in its last 19 games, heading into the 2017 campaign and is coming off a second consecutive 9-4 record. The Vols have won three straight bowls for the first time in 20 years and hold a streak of three straight winning seasons for the first time in 12 years.
UT was one of six teams from the Southeastern Conference included in the Preseason AP Poll, joining No. 1 Alabama, No. 12 Auburn, No. 13 LSU, No. 15 Georgia and No. 17 Florida. Texas A&M and Kentucky also received votes in the poll.
Tennessee is exactly two weeks out from its Labor Day (Sept. 4) season opener against Georgia Tech in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Tennessee returns 14 starters in 2017, including senior tight Ethan Wolf and senior offensive lineman Jashon Robertson, who are projected to be four-year starters for the Vols as well as 2015 First Team All-America kick returner Evan Berry, leading tackler senior Todd Kelly (71 stops in 2016) and second-leading rusher John Kelly (630 yards, 6.4 ypc, five TDs).
Tickets are still available for Tennessee’s home opener against Indiana State on Sept. 9. Fans can purchase tickets on AllVols.com or by calling or visiting the Thompson-Boling Arena box office (1-800-332-VOLS).
Vols in the Preseason AP Poll Since 2002 (Final Ranking)
2017: 25
2016: 9 (22)
2015: 25 (22)
2014: NR (NR)
2013: NR (NR)
2012: NR (NR)
2011: NR (NR)
2010: NR (NR)
2009: NR (NR)
2008: 18 (NR)
2007: 15 (12)
2006: 23 (25)
2005: 3 (NR)
2004: 14 (13)
2003: 12 (15)
2002: 5 (NR)
Teams in Every Preseason AP Poll the Last Three Seasons (2015, 2016, 2017)
Tennessee (25, 9, 25)
Ohio State (1, 6, 2)
Alabama (3,1, 1)
Florida State (10, 4, 3)
Georgia (9, 18,15
Southern California (8, 20, 4)
Clemson (12, 2, 5)
LSU (14, 5, 13)
Oklahoma (19, 3, 7
Stanford (21, 8, 14)
-UT Athletics
