Tennessee’s 2026-2029 schedules reveal discussion

I was there and it wasn’t nearly as electric as it should have been for a game that big.
You are correct 💯. These folks talking about how electric it was, have not seen it electric. Really only about half of the crowd brings the noise. I know what I've seen the last 5 years. I see Many folks just standing and watching, no noise
 
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It will be interesting to see how the 9 SEa. Schedule impacts overall records.

Will a three loss SEC team make the playoffs?

Every SEC game is physical, so there may be an uptick in injuries across the league (hope not).
 
Couldn't tell that from the TV. The atmosphere looked amazing. Also Checker Neyland looks much better in the day than at night.
Agree with the latter.

When I rewatched on TV, I was actually surprised at how loud it sounded on TV relative to how loud it sounded in person. Might’ve been the mike locations. Of course, I’m not saying it wasn’t loud. Compared to other stadiums, it was. But it wasn’t that normal big game Neyland Stadium electricity. Others who were there agreed. Alabama last year was louder and of course it was louder in 2022.

To be fair, it did get louder in the 4Q and Georgia was completely unaffected by it, which is disheartening for the crowd.
 
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20262027202820292030
FurmanTennessee StateWest Virginia (Charlotte)Washingtonat Washington
at Georgia TechGeorgia Tech
Kennesaw StateWestern Michigan
Auburnat Oklahomaat TexasMissouri
at ArkansasArkansasat Mississippi State
Ole Missat AuburnOklahoma
Kentuckyat Kentuckyat KentuckyKentucky
Alabamaat AlabamaAlabamaat AlabamaAlabama
at South CarolinaMississippi StateSouth Carolina
Texasat MissouriKentuckyat Ole Miss
at Texas A&MFloridaat LSUGeorgia
LSUat GeorgiaTexas A&Mat Florida
at VanderbiltVanderbiltat VanderbiltVanderbiltat Vanderbilt

We can play with anybody but in the current state where a 3rd loss means no playoffs, i wish we were not playing GT, WA, WV etc in addition to a 9 game gauntlet of SEC games. We need to schedule cupcake games to guarantee wins and more importantly to rest starters after halftime and build depth.

Looking at Oregon, PSU, OSU schedules (which are.freaking disgraceful) those teams only play 2 teams a year that should even be ranked top 25. Guaranteed 10win seasons and playoff berths. Tennessee goes 11-1 at WORST with any of those 3 teams schedules. Absolutely freaking ridiculous and I don't want to hear a peep out of any Big10 fan anymore. They should be ashamed of themselves and moreso of their garbage conference. The best teams dont even play EACHOTHER every year.

Look at our VOLS 4 best opponents each year and then run UGA,Bama,LSU, Texas etc through ANY of OSU,ORE,PSU schedules. The SEC team would be favored in 11/12 or 12/12 games in all those schedules and an absolute lock for the playoffs at 10-2 or better. I take nothing away from Oregon, OSU, or PSU. Those are really good teams that can play with anyone every season. If ORE does NOT win a Title in the next couple years they probably fire their coach...because they have a couple top3 recruiting classes that are absolutely loaded stacked back to back. Those 3 teams are legit and most years Michigan is good too...but the rest of their conference is hot garbage and a middling SEC school like Ole Miss or aTm could go undefeated versus the other 12 big10 teams almost every year. Whats gonna continue to happen is the BS that happened last year...when Ole Miss and Bama sat home while at least 4 teams they could beat down by 2TDs or more made the playoffs from weaker conferences. I don't know what the answer is? Maybe 16 team playoffs so at least 4 SEC teams get in every year to trounce these pretenders?
 
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Just for the fun of it, I put all the teams in upper/lower tier category. Also well aware that 1 or two of those teams from the tiers can migrate up or down from year to year, but I based it on what I perceive to be the current status. I then looked at the schedules and listed by year by team how many upper tier teams each team would face. It looks like to me that the SEC office did a great job of balancing out the schedules. Upper Tier is Ala.-Tenn.-Texas-Oklahoma-Ole Miss-LSU-Ga. and Texas A&M. The rest are lower tier.

Ala. 26/4-27/4-28/4-29/4
Ark. 26/5-27/5-28/5-29/5
Aub. 26/5-27/5-28/5-29/5
Fl. 26/4-27/5-28/4-29/5
Ga. 26/4-27/4-28/3-29/4
Ky. 26/5-27/4-28/5-29/4
LSU 26/5-27/4-28/5-29/4
Ms. State 26/5-27/5-28/5-29/5
Mo. 26/5-27/5-28/5-29/5
Ok. 26/4-27/5-28/4-29/5
Ol Miss.26/4-27/5-28/4-29/5
S, Caro. 26/5-27/4-28/5-29/4
Tn. 26/4-27/4-28/4-29/4
Tx. Austin 26/5-27/4-28/5-29/4
Tx. A&M 26/5-27/4-28/5-29/4
Vandy 26/4-27/5-28/4-29/5
What do you think? Side note-most of the top tier teams are top 25 when comparing schedules to other conferences
 
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As someone who has a bucket list item of seeing the Vols play in every SEC stadium, I very much approve of this move and schedule.

Also, there is no longer any such thing as an easy schedule in this conference. I love the parity we are seeing in college football.
Parity in the SEC maybe, but for the other power 4 leagues? Not so much. I'll be curious to see if the SEC is rewarded for playing a meat grinder of a schedule. On top of that, will what's left of any league member that does make the playoffs have enough left in the tank and on the roster to be their best come playoff time or will they be a shell of themselves? Just glad we don't have a meaningless SECCG to deal with....😏
 
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We can play with anybody but in the current state where a 3rd loss means no playoffs, i wish we were not playing GT, WA, WV etc in addition to a 9 game gauntlet of SEC games. We need to schedule cupcake games to guarantee wins and more importantly to rest starters after halftime and build depth.

Looking at Oregon, PSU, OSU schedules (which are.freaking disgraceful) those teams only play 2 teams a year that should even be ranked top 25. Guaranteed 10win seasons and playoff berths. Tennessee goes 11-1 at WORST with any of those 3 teams schedules. Absolutely freaking ridiculous and I don't want to hear a peep out of any Big10 fan anymore. They should be ashamed of themselves and moreso of their garbage conference. The best teams dont even play EACHOTHER every year.

Look at our VOLS 4 best opponents each year and then run UGA,Bama,LSU, Texas etc through ANY of OSU,ORE,PSU schedules. The SEC team would be favored in 11/12 or 12/12 games in all those schedules and an absolute lock for the playoffs at 10-2 or better. I take nothing away from Oregon, OSU, or PSU. Those are really good teams that can play with anyone every season. If ORE does NOT win a Title in the next couple years they probably fire their coach...because they have a couple top3 recruiting classes that are absolutely loaded stacked back to back. Those 3 teams are legit and most years Michigan is good too...but the rest of their conference is hot garbage and a middling SEC school like Ole Miss or aTm could go undefeated versus the other 12 big10 teams almost every year. Whats gonna continue to happen is the BS that happened last year...when Ole Miss and Bama sat home while at least 4 teams they could beat down by 2TDs or more made the playoffs from weaker conferences. I don't know what the answer is? Maybe 16 team playoffs so at least 4 SEC teams get in every year to trounce these pretenders?
There’s a sample size of only one year you’re using to say teams with 3 losses can’t make the playoffs. Two 9-3 teams just missed out last year, and both were from the SEC. Clemson also stole a bid by winning the ACC.

I think we all know the barometer changes going forward with the renewed emphasis on SOS. Saying a team with 3 wont get in going forward is nothing but BVS.
 
We can play with anybody but in the current state where a 3rd loss means no playoffs, i wish we were not playing GT, WA, WV etc in addition to a 9 game gauntlet of SEC games. We need to schedule cupcake games to guarantee wins and more importantly to rest starters after halftime and build depth.

Looking at Oregon, PSU, OSU schedules (which are.freaking disgraceful) those teams only play 2 teams a year that should even be ranked top 25. Guaranteed 10win seasons and playoff berths. Tennessee goes 11-1 at WORST with any of those 3 teams schedules. Absolutely freaking ridiculous and I don't want to hear a peep out of any Big10 fan anymore. They should be ashamed of themselves and moreso of their garbage conference. The best teams dont even play EACHOTHER every year.

Look at our VOLS 4 best opponents each year and then run UGA,Bama,LSU, Texas etc through ANY of OSU,ORE,PSU schedules. The SEC team would be favored in 11/12 or 12/12 games in all those schedules and an absolute lock for the playoffs at 10-2 or better. I take nothing away from Oregon, OSU, or PSU. Those are really good teams that can play with anyone every season. If ORE does NOT win a Title in the next couple years they probably fire their coach...because they have a couple top3 recruiting classes that are absolutely loaded stacked back to back. Those 3 teams are legit and most years Michigan is good too...but the rest of their conference is hot garbage and a middling SEC school like Ole Miss or aTm could go undefeated versus the other 12 big10 teams almost every year. Whats gonna continue to happen is the BS that happened last year...when Ole Miss and Bama sat home while at least 4 teams they could beat down by 2TDs or more made the playoffs from weaker conferences. I don't know what the answer is? Maybe 16 team playoffs so at least 4 SEC teams get in every year to trounce these pretenders?
All sec teams are required to play one team from the power 4 every year. So no sec team has a real advantage. You still have 2 games to play weaker opponents, in only a 12 game season folks don’t want to 4 weak games, that’s a quarter of the season. I agree it makes it tougher but it will force the other leagues to play tougher out if schedule games. If these other conferences don’t schedule tougher opponents 2 loses may keep some of them out of playoff. Even if we eventually go to a 16 team playoff weak schedules from other conferences could cost you a playoff spot. GBO
 
We can play with anybody but in the current state where a 3rd loss means no playoffs, i wish we were not playing GT, WA, WV etc in addition to a 9 game gauntlet of SEC games. We need to schedule cupcake games to guarantee wins and more importantly to rest starters after halftime and build depth.

Looking at Oregon, PSU, OSU schedules (which are.freaking disgraceful) those teams only play 2 teams a year that should even be ranked top 25. Guaranteed 10win seasons and playoff berths. Tennessee goes 11-1 at WORST with any of those 3 teams schedules. Absolutely freaking ridiculous and I don't want to hear a peep out of any Big10 fan anymore. They should be ashamed of themselves and moreso of their garbage conference. The best teams dont even play EACHOTHER every year.

Look at our VOLS 4 best opponents each year and then run UGA,Bama,LSU, Texas etc through ANY of OSU,ORE,PSU schedules. The SEC team would be favored in 11/12 or 12/12 games in all those schedules and an absolute lock for the playoffs at 10-2 or better. I take nothing away from Oregon, OSU, or PSU. Those are really good teams that can play with anyone every season. If ORE does NOT win a Title in the next couple years they probably fire their coach...because they have a couple top3 recruiting classes that are absolutely loaded stacked back to back. Those 3 teams are legit and most years Michigan is good too...but the rest of their conference is hot garbage and a middling SEC school like Ole Miss or aTm could go undefeated versus the other 12 big10 teams almost every year. Whats gonna continue to happen is the BS that happened last year...when Ole Miss and Bama sat home while at least 4 teams they could beat down by 2TDs or more made the playoffs from weaker conferences. I don't know what the answer is? Maybe 16 team playoffs so at least 4 SEC teams get in every year to trounce these pretenders?
That's not going to be the case in a 16 team playoff....9-3 teams from the SEC and Big Ten will get in regularly
 
I don't mind our three permanent rivals. The schedule is already brutal enough so I think it softens the blow a little. However, to me Alabama, Georgia and Florida will always be our biggest rivals. Kentucky is crap and Vandy is steaming crap.
 
There are unlikely to be major tweaks to the permanent rivals.
Not arguing with you - that's your opinion, and it very well could be the case. However, what I stated above was a fact, from the SEC scheduling guidelines:

Annual opponents will be evaluated after each four-year cycle to maintain continued competitive balance
 
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