SEC football: Grading Auburn, rest of league’s non-conference scheduling
By Rob Maxwell
Tennessee
You can say this much about the Vols: They want to have those made-for-TV games. Whether it’s the Battle at Bristol vs. Virginia Tech in 2016 or this season’s game in Charlotte against West Virginia, they always are looking to advance the UT brand. Plus, with one of the nation’s largest stadiums and as an SEC football team, Tennessee remains a nice draw for other Power 5 schools.
Future non-conference opponents
2018: West Virginia (Charlotte), East Tennessee State, UTEP, Charlotte
2019: Georgia State, BYU, Chattanooga, UAB
2020: Charlotte, at Oklahoma, Furman
2021: Bowling Green, Pittsburgh, South Alabama
2022: Ball State, at Pittsburgh, Army
2023: at BYU
2024: Oklahoma
2026: at Nebraska
2027: Nebraska
FlyWarEagle analysis: Despite not winning 10 games since 2007 and having losing seasons in in 6 of the last 10 seasons, Tennessee doesn’t back down when it comes to scheduling. The Oklahoma series is a good repeat (OU beat UT in 2014 and 2015). Getting Nebraska on future schedules is a potential great get … if Scott Frost is able to pull the Huskers from obscurity. Grade: B+