Tennessee Projected to Play in Gator Bowl in Way-Too-Early 2026 Forecast

On3 Sports' Brett McMurphy has the Vols facing SMU in the Florida-based bowl game

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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In a way-too-early projection for the 2026 college football bowl season, On3 Sports' Brett McMurphy has Tennessee playing in the Gator Bowl against SMU. The Vols have played in the Gator Bowl twice in recent memory, defeating Iowa in 2014 and narrowly beating Indiana in 2019 (a win that was later vacated). McMurphy's projections have four SEC teams making the 12-team playoff field, but Tennessee is not among them.

Why it matters

Tennessee has had a successful run under head coach Josh Heupel, making the College Football Playoff in 2024 before falling to Ohio State. The Vols will look to build on that momentum in 2026, and a Gator Bowl appearance would continue their recent postseason success, even if they fall short of the playoff.

The details

McMurphy's way-too-early projections have Georgia, Texas, Texas A&M, and Oklahoma as the four SEC teams in the 12-team playoff field. Three of those teams are on Tennessee's 2026 schedule, so the Vols will have opportunities to bolster their resume and potentially earn a playoff spot. The Gator Bowl, held at Everbank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida, has been a recent destination for the Vols, who defeated Iowa in 2014 and Indiana in 2019 (a win that was later vacated).

  • Tennessee will kick off the 2026 season on Saturday, September 5 against Furman in Neyland Stadium.
  • The 2026 Gator Bowl is scheduled to take place in late December or early January in Jacksonville, Florida.

The players

Josh Heupel

Tennessee's head football coach, who has led the Vols to the College Football Playoff and multiple bowl games during his tenure.

Brett McMurphy

An analyst for On3 Sports who released the way-too-early 2026 bowl projections, including Tennessee's Gator Bowl appearance.

Joey Aguilar

Tennessee's starting quarterback, whose status for the 2026 season is unclear.

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What they’re saying

“It's been quite the busy offseason for Tennessee after finishing its 2025 campaign with an 8-5 overall record.”

— Ric Butler, Author (rockytopinsider.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

Tennessee's projected Gator Bowl appearance in 2026 would continue the program's recent postseason success under Josh Heupel, even if they fall short of the College Football Playoff. The Vols will have opportunities to bolster their resume against several top SEC opponents on their schedule, which could ultimately determine their playoff fate.