The SEC reportedly gives Tennessee the gift that Vols fans were hoping for
The SEC reportedly granted Tennessee Vols fans their wish on Monday. On3’s Chris Low broke the news of who each SEC program’s three permanent opponents will be starting in 2026. According to Low, Tennessee’s three permanent opponents will be Alabama, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt. It was long assumed that Alabama and Vanderbilt would be two of […]
The SEC reportedly granted Tennessee Vols fans their wish on Monday.
On3’s Chris Low broke the news of who each SEC program’s three permanent opponents will be starting in 2026.
According to Low, Tennessee’s three permanent opponents will be Alabama, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt.
It was long assumed that Alabama and Vanderbilt would be two of Tennessee’s permanent opponents. The debate was over the Vols’ third opponent, with Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina looming as possibilities.
After watching the Vols be one of just two programs to play Alabama and Georgia every year (Auburn was the other), Tennessee fans are (mostly) happy to see Kentucky as the third opponent instead of the Bulldogs (or the Gators).
Tennessee’s SEC schedule still won’t be easy
Getting Kentucky instead of Florida or Georgia certainly feels like a gift for the Volunteers.
But it doesn’t mean that Tennessee’s SEC schedule will be easy moving forward. Far from it, in fact.
With the league moving to a nine-game schedule in 2026, it means each team will play its three permanent opponents each season and then the other six opponents will rotate each year. Tennessee will play each non-permanent opponent twice every four years.
That means the Vols will still have to play either Florida or Georgia each season. Or if the SEC wants to be wild, it could schedule Tennessee to play Florida and Georgia in the same season every other year (I doubt that will be the case).
Adding an extra conference game will make the SEC schedule even more of a gauntlet each season. But it will provide more entertaining games for fans. It’ll also provide a tougher path to the College Football Playoff for every team in the SEC.
Tennessee Volunteers News
College football insider reveals what opposing coaches are saying about the Tennessee Vols’ offense in 2025
The Tennessee Vols’ offense is off to a blazing fast start this season. Tennessee, which is 3-1 through the first four games of the season, is averaging 53.5 points per game (No. 5 in the nation). Now, that includes some games that weren’t very competitive — wins against East Tennessee State and the UAB Blazers, […]
