Where Tennessee Football’s opponents are ranked in The Athletic’s 1-136 ranking

Where Tennessee Football opponents are ranked in The Athletic’s annual 1-136 ranking of Football Bowl Subdivision teams:

No. 5 Georgia

Tennessee vs. Georgia | September 13 | Kickoff Time: 3:30 p.m. ET | TV: ABC

Georgia is Tennessee’s SEC opener, after the Vols and Bulldogs played in November the last four years and in October in 2019 and 2020. Georgia has won eight straight in the series, dating back to the Josh Dobbs–Jauan Jennings Hail Mary to win at Georgia in 2016.

The Athletic: “There are questions at every level of the offense (is Gunner Stockton really the guy?) but we may be overlooking the Dawgs.”

No. 9 Alabama

Tennessee at Alabama | October 18 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee goes to Alabama on October 18 for the annual Third Saturday in October Rivalry. The Vols have won two of the last three, beating the Crimson Tide 24-17 at Neyland Stadium last season and 52-49 in Knoxville in 2022.

The Athletic: “Could Ty Simpson be a better fit for Kalen DeBoer’s offense? The Tide have to avoid a repeat of those letdown performances that Nick Saban never had.”

No. 15 Florida

Tennessee at Florida | November 22 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee will go to Gainesville in November for the first time in program history when the Vols face the Gators on November 22 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. The 2020 game was played in December 5 in Knoxville in the COVID-altered season and the 2001 game was moved to December 1 after the terrorist attacks on September 11 postponed the originally scheduled game.

The Athletic: “The DJ Lagway momentum must continue, but let’s hope those preseason camp injuries aren’t serious.”

No. 25 Oklahoma

Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee welcomed Oklahoma to the SEC with a 25-15 win in Norman last season, the Sooners’ first year in the conference. It was the first win over Oklahoma for the Vols since 1939, after the Sooners won three straight (1968, 2014 and 2015).

The Athletic: “Two coveted transfers, QB John Mateer and RB Jaydn Ott, could make for a fascinating new offense in what is a make-or-break year for coach Brent Venables.”

No. 46 Vanderbilt

Tennessee vs. Vanderbilt | November 29 | Kickoff Time: Afternoon Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee ends the regular-season schedule on November 29 with Senior Day against Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium. The Vols were looking a seventh straight win in the annual in-state series, which dates back to 1892.

The Athletic: “QB Diego Pavia won this year of eligibility in a courtroom, a boost to a program that faces an uphill climb but has a good foundation returning.”

No. 47 Arkansas

Arkansas at Tennessee | October 11 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

After upsetting Tennessee 19-14 in Fayetteville last season, Arkansas makes the return trip to Knoxville. The Razorbacks won 24-20 in their last appearance at Neyland Stadium, in October 2015.

The Athletic: “The offense should be in good hands with quarterback Taylen Green and coordinator Bobby Petrino back, but the defense must find a way to replace NFL talent.”

No. 53 Syracuse

Tennessee vs. Syracuse | August 30 | Kickoff Time: Noon ET | TV: ABC

Tennessee is 3-0 all time against Syracuse in football, beating the Orange 18-12 in the Gator Bowl in December 1966, then winning 34-33 at Syracuse to start the 1998 season and 33-9 in Knoxville in September 2001.

The Athletic: “The Orange replace almost everything on the field from last year’s 10-win team, and their schedule is brutally tough, starting with Tennessee in Atlanta.”

No. 70 Kentucky

Tennessee at Kentucky | Kickoff Time: Night Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee goes back to Kroger Field in Lexington on October 25 looking for a third straight road win over Kentucky during the Josh Heupel era. The Vols won 45-42 at Kentucky in November 2021 and 33-27 in October 2023.

The Athletic: “Can quarterback Zach Calzada get the Wildcats out of a tailspin?”

No. 90 Mississippi State 

Tennessee at Mississippi State | September 27 | Kickoff Time: Flex Window | TV: TBD

Tennessee beat Mississippi State 33-14 at Neyland Stadium last November, the first meeting between the two teams since 2019. The Vols haven’t played in Starkville since a 41-31 loss in 2012 and haven’t won on the road at Davis Wade Stadium since 2007 (33-21).

The Athletic: “A healthy QB Blake Shapen should help, but the Bulldogs might have the toughest schedule in the country.”

No. 124 UAB

Tennessee vs. UAB | September 20 | Kickoff Time: 12:45 p.m. ET | TV: SEC Network

Tennessee is 5-0 against UAB in a series that dates back to November 1998. The Vols have won the five games with an average margin of victory of 17.8 points. The last meeting was a 30-7 Tennessee win in November 2019.

The Athletic: “QB Jalen Kitna showed some promise but must cut down on turnovers and find some help.”

No. 129 New Mexico State

Tennessee vs. New Mexico State | November 15 | Kickoff Time: 4:15 p.m. ET | TV: SEC Network

It’s the first meeting between the two teams and will be Homecoming Weekend for the Vols, as well as Salute to Service Weekend. New Mexico State went 3-9 last season with wins over Southeast Missouri State, Louisiana Tech and Middle Tennessee State. The Aggies are ranked No. 122 in ESPN’s SP+.