Three permanent SEC rivals revealed for Tennessee, per report
By Jyesha Nance
Published:
Last month, the SEC’s presidents and chancellors voted to adopt a 9-game conference football schedule for the 2026 season and beyond. That schedule will feature 3 protected rivals for each SEC school, along with 6 additional games on a rotating basis.
Reports on Thursday stated that the league will be announcing the full 2026 schedule, as well as each school’s protected games, next Tuesday. This announcement will be a key moment, setting the stage for future rivalries and competitive balance within the conference.
Ahead of the official reveal, Richard West, a prominent reporter in Knoxville, reported that the 3 permanent SEC opponents for Tennessee will be Alabama, Vanderbilt, and Kentucky.
Through the 2024 season, Tennessee and Alabama have faced off 107 times, with Alabama leading the series 60-40-7. The Third Saturday in October is one of college football’s best rivalries.
Tennessee holds the advantage over Vanderbilt with an 81-32-5 record in 118 meetings. The 2 in-state foes have met on the gridiron every year since 1945.
The Vols also lead the all-time series with Kentucky 85-26-9 in 120 meetings. The Vols have won 8 of the last 10 matchups with the Wildcats.
With the SEC’s schedule change, Tennessee could see its annual meeting with Florida interrupted. The Vols have faced the Gators every season dating back to 1990. Tennessee has also played Georgia every year since 1992.
