Describing Tennessee football's season as up-and-down would be a massive understatement.

The Vols had moments where they looked like a College Football Playoff contender, but they also had moments where they looked in danger of of falling even farther than they did.

Here are two positive statistics and two negative statistics that told the story of Tennessee's 2025 regular season.

Joey Aguilar was put into a tough spot this season, unexpectedly leading the Tennessee offense after the departure of Nico Iamaleava. His 3,444 passing yards led the SEC in the regular season and generally translated into points with a few exceptions.

Another stat that Tennessee — and Aguilar — take pride in is Aguilar's streak of throwing for 200 or more yards in all 36 starts. The only game of FBS football where Aguilar didn't throw for 200 yards was his first game at Appalachian State in 2023 against Gardner-Webb, a game which he didn't start.

Tennessee enters a transition period next year at the quarterback position with Aguilar graduating and Jake Merklinger entering the transfer portal. Head coach Josh Heupel has to make a decision between bringing in a big-name transfer quarterback or trusting freshman George MacIntrye and 2026 commit Faizon Brandon.

Tennesee threw 10 interceptions in 2025, tied for seventh in the SEC with Missouri. The total isn't horrible, but the moments when those interceptions happened is the reason why it's a negative.

Against Georgia, a second interception from Aguilar that came in the third quarter curtailed any momentum Tennessee still had coming out of halftime. Against Oklahoma, interceptions on back-to-back drives let the Sooners score six points, crucial points in what finished as a six-point game. Most infamously, an interception at the goal line against Alabama returned for a touchdown was a 10-point -- and maybe even 14-point -- swing, effectively ending the game in that moment.

Whether interceptions will continue into 2026 rests on Heupel's quarterback strategy. Turnovers could be part of growing pains with a new quarterback but would be unacceptable should an experienced signal-caller transfer in.

Tennessee's offense gained more first downs than any SEC team this regular season, moving the sticks 26 times per game. Despite turnovers plaguing the Vols at times, they could still move the ball down the field.

Alongside Aguilar's ability to gain yards, Tennessee mixed the run and pass well offensively. With DeSean Bishop and Star Thomas both able to get the ball, opponents struggled at knowing where the ball was going, especially on third down. 

Heupel's system results in Tennessee's offense moving quickly and putting opposing defenses in tough spots, and the Vols were successful doing so this season.

It's no secret that Tennessee's defense struggled throughout the year, but the degree to which the Vols let up points is an area of concern. Tennessee allowed 28.75 points per game, a mark only ahead of Mississippi State and Arkansas in the SEC.

Tennessee's offense gave up two touchdowns and a safety, contributing to the high scores of opponents. While the system of high-tempo offense makes it challenging for a defensive unit due to high time of possession for the opponent, Tennessee's 2025 defensive performance is incompatible with playing meaningful football in December and January.

With Tim Banks out and Jim Knowles coming in, Tennessee's defense will undergo change ahead of next season. Whether that change is positive or negative is an open question, but the challenge gets harder with nine conference games next season.