Thoughts on 2026 schedule?

[The Tall Gguy]

"ugly early"?? Who are we worried about in the first 6 games of the season other than Texas at HOME?? We stressing about GT? Is that what we've become?? But Furman, Ken St., Arkansas, Auburn???

Yep. Not worried about Furman or Kent State...but EVERY other game worries me. But hey, that is just me.

 

[CAVPUT]

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[McDad]

I don't really get the hand wringing. Every SEC is playing 9. We may lose 3 or 4 but so may the other teams.
Need to keep in mind it isn't only about our record but how that record compares.

 

[YankeeVol]

Heupel offense + Knowles defense = 11-1. Book it.

I'll take that bet

 

[RDU VOL#14]

That will be hilarious after Kiffin bitched so much about Ole Miss never getting to host that game at night, while LSU always gets it at night in Baton Rouge. Then the first time he goes to Oxford as LSU’s coach, he has to play them at night.

He really did bitch and moan about Ole Miss not getting night games .

 

[Beauknowsfootball]

Undefeated going into the Bama game IMHO. Haters Will disagree

That would be nice.

 

[BowlBrother85]

I see a schedule that could really get ugly quickly. But, you never know.

I don't see what the hell you're talking about .... unless it's Georgia Tech. In which case, I strongly disagree with the sentiment.

 

[BowlBrother85]

"ugly early"?? Who are we worried about in the first 6 games of the season other than Texas at HOME?? We stressing about GT? Is that what we've become?? But Furman, Ken St., Arkansas, Auburn???

That's a manageable schedule, especially in September.

 

[Enigmatic_Vol]

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Not really. Just what the sec collective feeds us and the collective wants us to be thankful.

 

[vols0223]

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I wonder how many starters Georgia tech returns That's going to be a tough game right there

 

[vegasvolfan]

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They did a pretty good job at making the schedules fairly even this year it seems. Although, Georgia may have gotten the easiest draw:

SEC schedule for 2026 college football season set: See full breakdown by team

The SEC revealed its full 2026 football schedule as the league moves to a nine-game conference slate

www.cbssports.com

 

[LAVol1]

NFL draft experts Todd Mcshay & Dane Brugler recommend Ty Simpson return for 2026, too much inconsistent play.
I think if he has a good to great playoff run he's gone. If Bama gets knocked out at Oklahoma he's back JMO.

vs. UGA, 3 sacks and 13+ QB hurries on 39 attempts, 19 competitions. Also consider Bama receivers dropped 6 passes! Not even Payton his Sr year would have fared well in that situation. Had there been no dropped passes, Simpson would have been 25/39, in spite of being pressured 13 times! I would say the kid is pretty good and worthy of a top 10 draft pick.

 

[Seattle Hillbilly]

They will be back

Unfortunately

 

[ohhbother]

Is anyone besides me bummed our bye week means no game on Halloween? Spooky Rocky Top on Halloween night would have been epic.

 

[DirtyDawg]

No Florida and no Georgia really suck.

I agree! I’m assuming that TN’s biggest rivals are UF, UGA, and Bama. Our biggest rivals are UF, TN, and Auburn. At least this is the way it seems to me, and I don’t like not playing these teams every season.

 

[Sara Clark]

Tough schedule for sure!

 

[NighthawkVol]

I don't really get the hand wringing. Every SEC is playing 9. We may lose 3 or 4 but so may the other teams.
Need to keep in mind it isn't only about our record but how that record compares.

Ours isn't as difficult as most.

 

[McDad]

Ours isn't as difficult as most.

Agree. Lot of time between now and next season too. Who knows which teams will be prominent.
Don't we swap home / away in 27 with the 26 opponents? If so, that year will be harder, I think

 

[NighthawkVol]

Agree. Lot of time between now and next season too. Who knows which teams will be prominent.
Don't we swap home / away in 27 with the 26 opponents? If so, that year will be harder, I think

No. The home/away swap is 26 and 28. And 27 and 29.

In other words, we play new SEC opponents in 27 (other than our 3 permanents) then, in 2028, we play our 2026 home opponents on the road and our 2026 road opponents at home.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I wonder how many starters Georgia tech returns That's going to be a tough game right there

I’m mainly concerned about just 1. And he’s gone.

 

[Legion of Doom]

Ceiling is 9-3. People forget Auburn, Arkansas, South Carolina, Kentucky, and LSU have major issues.

 

[Legion of Doom]

I don't really get the hand wringing. Every SEC is playing 9. We may lose 3 or 4 but so may the other teams.
Need to keep in mind it isn't only about our record but how that record compares.

Exactly. Since when have Auburn and LSU been good?

 

[McDad]

No. The home/away swap is 26 and 28. And 27 and 29.

In other words, we play new SEC opponents in 27 (other than our 3 permanents) then, in 2028, we play our 2026 home opponents on the road and our 2026 road opponents at home.

Oh. That's interesting. I like that. 2 years is a span which can radically alter a program's strength (and weakness).

 

[McDad]

Exactly. Since when have Auburn and LSU been good?

 

[Rocky Top T]

Is anyone besides me bummed our bye week means no game on Halloween? Spooky Rocky Top on Halloween night would have been epic.

Don't care about spooky Rocky Top and dark mode. Didn't seem to faze Oklahoma. Just gimmicks