National media outlet predicts Tennessee Vols' 2024 SEC schedule
A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like a certainty that the SEC would be moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2024 (the year that Oklahoma and Texas join the SEC). But at the SEC league meetings in Florida this week, the conference decided to go with a temporary eight-game schedule in 2024 with […]
A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like a certainty that the SEC would be moving to a nine-game conference schedule in 2024 (the year that Oklahoma and Texas join the SEC).
But at the SEC league meetings in Florida this week, the conference decided to go with a temporary eight-game schedule in 2024 with no divisions.
The opponents for each program will be announced during a primetime show on the SEC Network on June 14.
From the SEC: In addition, the SEC will eliminate divisional standings beginning in 2024. The SEC Championship Game will feature the two top teams in the Conference standings at the end of the regular season. The single-standings format will allow every school to play every other school a minimum of two times in a four-year period, regardless of whether the SEC utilizes an 8-game or 9-game format for future Conference competition.
Each school's opponents for the 2024 season will be announced June 14 on a special primetime show on the SEC Network, and dates of games will be announced at a later date.
247Sports took a shot on Friday at predicting the Tennessee Vols' eight SEC opponents in 2024.
- @ Georgia
- vs Alabama
- @ Oklahoma
- @ South Carolina
- vs Florida
- @ Vanderbilt
- vs Kentucky
- vs Ole Miss
From 247Sports: That three-headed monster of Georgia, Alabama and Oklahoma could get ugly for Tennessee if those three programs are as good as most expect them to be in 2024. The rivalry with Florida is up in the air, per sources, and we've already mentioned the expectation is that Tennessee-South Carolina will continue to happen (perhaps as an annual lock). The Vanderbilt game should continue to be played, too.
The Vols already have a non-conference game against NC State scheduled in 2024 as well.
The playoff is set to expand in 2024. So the eight-game schedule is viewed by analysts as an advantage for SEC programs, though I don't think this schedule would be viewed as "favorable" for the Vols — they would still have to play Alabama, Florida, and Georgia in the same season as well as a road game against Oklahoma.
Regardless of how it shakes out, it won't be "easy" for Tennessee or any other SEC program, regardless of whether it's an eight or nine-game schedule.
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK
