On Tuesday, the Tennessee Volunteers announced their future SEC opponents for the 2026-29 seasons.
Previously, the Volunteers announced their three annual conference opponents after the SEC implemented a nine-game conference schedule. Tennessee’s permanent conference opponents are Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky.
What This Means for the SEC
Starting in 2026, the SEC will transition to a nine-game conference schedule, replacing the current eight-game format. That means each SEC team will have only three non-conference games.
To help preserve some of the schools’ traditional rivalries, each SEC program will have three permanent conference opponents. However, these rivalries will be reviewed every four seasons, allowing for potential schedule changes after 2029.
Additionally, the other six SEC opponents on each schedule will rotate at least once every two seasons. For example, the Vols are scheduled to play Florida in 2025, so they won’t play the Gators again until 2027.
Each SEC team will also be required to schedule at least one high-quality nonconference opponent per year. That means each program must play a team from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, or Notre Dame each season.
The History of Tennessee’s 3 Annual Rivals
Alabama
- Record: 40-60-7 (Alabama)
- Current Win Streak: 1W (Tennessee)
- Last 5 Matchups: 2-3 (Alabama)
- Longest Win Streak: 15, 2007-2021 (Alabama)
Known as the “Third Saturday in October,” these bitter rivals have battled each other for more than a century, dating back to 1901. Before Nick Saban became Alabama’s head coach, the Crimson Tide led the series by just six wins (44-38-7).
Currently, Alabama leads the series by 20 wins; however, the Vols have changed the tide in recent seasons, winning two of their last three matchups. If the Volunteers defeat Alabama in 2025, it will be their first win in Tuscaloosa since 2003.
Kentucky
- Record: 85-26-9 (Tennessee)
- Current Win Streak: 4W (Tennessee)
- Last 5 Matchups: 4-1 (Tennessee)
- Longest Win Streak: 26, 1985-2010 (Tennessee)
These two opponents have been playing each other since 1893. Surprisingly, Kentucky led Tennessee 6-3-1 in their first 10 games. However, the Vols have dominated the rivalry ever since. Tennessee once held a 26-game winning streak against the Wildcats, which was broken in 2010.
If the Volunteers defeat the Wildcats in 2025, they will be 60 games ahead of Kentucky in the series, making it one of the most lopsided rivalries in college football. The last time the Wildcats beat Tennessee was in 2020.
Vanderbilt
- Record: 81-32-5 (Tennessee)
- Current Win Streak: 6W (Tennessee)
- Last 5 Matchups: 5-0 (Tennessee)
- Longest Win Streak: 22, 1983-2004 (Tennessee)
Tennessee and Vanderbilt have played since 1892, making it the oldest in-state rivalry in the SEC. Although the Volunteers have historically dominated the series, the Commodores won 11 of their first 12 appearances against Tennessee. The largest winning streak between the schools is 22, which was held by Tennessee until 2004.
Currently, the Volunteers have won the last six matchups against the Commodores. If Tennessee wins in 2025, head coach Josh Heupel will be 5-0 against Vanderbilt. The last Vols head coach to win five straight games against the Commodores was Phillip Fulmer, who lost to Vanderbilt only once during his 17-year tenure.
Tennessee’s Future SEC Opponents
2026 SEC Opponents
2027 SEC Opponents
- @ Alabama
- @ Kentucky
- Vanderbilt
- Florida
- Ole Miss
- Mississippi State
- @ Georgia
- @ Missouri
- @ Oklahoma
2028 SEC Opponents
- Alabama
- @ Kentucky
- @ Vanderbilt
- Arkansas
- South Carolina
- Texas A&M
- @ Auburn
- @ LSU
- @ Texas
2029 SEC Opponents
- @ Alabama
- Kentucky
- Vanderbilt
- Georgia
- Missouri
- Oklahoma
- @ Florida
- @ Ole Miss
