The Tennessee Volunteers looked like a program ready to take the next step and become a consistent contender in the SEC. After a breakthrough 2024 season that included a College Football Playoff appearance, the trajectory pointed upward. Instead, 2025 brought a reset that raised new questions about the program’s long-term ceiling. Under Josh Heupel, Tennessee slipped to 8-5 last season, a noticeable drop from its 10-3 campaign the year before. That kind of regression is not catastrophic, but it is enough to shift perception. In the SEC, momentum matters, and losing it can be the difference between contending and falling into the middle tier. Now, heading into 2026, the uncertainty begins at the most important position on the field. With Joey Aguilar gone, Tennessee is expected to turn to either George MacIntyre or five-star freshman Faizon Brandon. That alone introduces volatility, especially in a system that relies heavily on quarterback decision-making and tempo.…