What the Tennessee Vols’ full 2026 SEC football schedule could look like based on all the clues we have so far
On3’s Chris Low revealed on Monday, a day ahead of schedule, who the Tennessee Vols’ three permanent SEC opponents will be starting in 2026. The SEC is moving to a nine game conference schedule beginning next season. Each SEC team will have three permanent opponents and six rotating opponents (SEC teams will play each non […]
On3’s Chris Low revealed on Monday, a day ahead of schedule, who the Tennessee Vols’ three permanent SEC opponents will be starting in 2026.
The SEC is moving to a nine game conference schedule beginning next season. Each SEC team will have three permanent opponents and six rotating opponents (SEC teams will play each non permanent opponent twice every four years).
Low reported that Alabama, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt will be Tennessee’s three permanent opponents.
What Tennessee’s full 2026 SEC schedule could look like based on the clues we have so far
We don’t officially know what Tennessee’s full 2026 schedule will look like just yet, but based on a few clues, we at least have a decent idea of what it could look like.
For starters, we know who the Vols’ non-conference opponents will be. And we know that Tennessee will host five SEC conference games thanks to recent comments from Vols athletic director Danny White.
Now, there’s been some speculation that the SEC won’t schedule repeat opponents from this past season. But according to ESPN, there could be some repeat opponents for SEC teams in order to create a balanced schedule.
“The schedules are going to be built with a clean slate for the next four years, which means there could be hiccups, such as repeat games from the prior season,” read a report from ESPN.
Based on that information and recent past matchups for Tennessee, here’s what I think the Vols’ full 2026 schedule will look like.
Tennessee vs Furman
Tennessee @ Georgia Tech
Tennessee vs Kennesaw State
Tennessee vs Alabama
Tennessee vs Kentucky
Tennessee vs LSU
Tennessee vs Missouri
Tennessee vs Florida
Tennessee @ Vanderbilt
Tennessee @ Ole Miss
Tennessee @ Texas
Tennessee @ South Carolina
The only repeat opponent for Tennessee from the 2025 season, outside of their three permanent opponents, would be Florida.
I don’t think the SEC is going to schedule Florida and Georgia in the same season for the Vols. I think those two will be on separate cycles. I also don’t think the SEC will give Tennessee a home game against Georgia two years in a row. It’s possible that the SEC could give Tennessee an away game against Georgia and move the Texas game to a home game. Neither scenario would surprise me. But I think it’s more likely that Tennessee gets Florida at home.
We’ll see how it actually ends up looking. I think what’s above will be really close (maybe even spot on!). Either way, it’s clear there will be no easy paths in the SEC with a nine game schedule regardless of who each program’s three permanent opponents are.
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