With the ACC program, Tennessee football is set to compete both at home and on the road in future matchups.
By embracing a new scheduling format that mirrors elements of the Atlantic Coast Conference’s (ACC) structure, Tennessee football is entering an era defined by balanced, competitive matchups both at home and on the road. The decision comes amid a nationwide reevaluation of college football scheduling, driven by conference realignment, media rights deals, and a growing demand for marquee matchups across the calendar.
The Volunteers, a powerhouse rooted in Southeastern Conference (SEC) tradition, are poised to benefit from this strategic shift. Under the new framework, Tennessee will participate in a structure where teams face off in both home and away settings over a defined period, aiming to preserve historic rivalries while enhancing the fan experience and boosting national exposure.
A Shifting College Football Landscape
To understand how Tennessee fits into this evolving framework, one must first grasp the seismic changes reshaping college football. The dissolution of geographic boundaries in conference affiliations and the desire to create equitable, TV-friendly schedules have led to innovative formats. The ACC’s “3-5-5” model, introduced in 2023, is a prime example: each team has three permanent rivals, while rotating the remaining ten teams (five at home, five on the road) over a two-year period. This ensures every player will face every opponent both home and away during their four-year careers.
Though Tennessee is not in the ACC, the ripple effects of that model have extended beyond conference lines. The SEC, home to Tennessee since 1932, is adopting a more structured rotation with the 2024 addition of Texas and Oklahoma. The Vols will see increased cross-division competition, and a format echoing the ACC’s may serve as a template. The key theme: balance, exposure, and opportunity.
Why Home-and-Away Matters
In the past, SEC scheduling often favored traditional rivalries and division matchups. This sometimes led to long gaps between meetings of cross-divisional opponents. Under the new model, Tennessee fans can expect to see a wider array of opponents visiting Neyland Stadium, while the Vols also hit the road for exciting matchups in new venues. These home-and-away pairings create a sense of fairness and rhythm—something that appeals to both coaches and athletes.
From a player development perspective, home-and-away formats offer valuable experience. Traveling to play in raucous environments like Baton Rouge, Tuscaloosa, or Gainesville builds resilience. Conversely, defending home turf against those same programs prepares teams for postseason intensity. Josh Heupel, Tennessee’s head coach, has spoken often about preparing his team for adversity, and this model presents a perfect vehicle.
From a fan standpoint, this shift is gold. Vol Nation will have more opportunities to travel and support their team across the Southeast and potentially beyond. Additionally, a broader variety of home games ensures Neyland Stadium remains a premier destination with a rotating cast of elite opponents.
Strengthening Rivalries and Creating New Ones
Tennessee’s traditional rivalries—most notably with Alabama, Florida, and Georgia—are pillars of SEC identity. The new structure will preserve these while allowing emerging rivalries to flourish. A regular rotation of opponents means more meetings with programs like Texas A&M, LSU, and now Oklahoma and Texas, the latter bringing historical richness and playoff implications.
Under the ACC-inspired framework, Tennessee could, for instance, maintain annual games against Alabama, Florida, and Kentucky while rotating through the other eleven conference teams over a two-year cycle. The beauty of this model lies in its simplicity and fairness: every team gets exposure, and no rivalry is lost in the shuffle.
Moreover, with college football now fully embracing the 12-team playoff starting in 2024, strength of schedule matters more than ever. A robust home-and-away system bolsters resume building. Tennessee, with its national ambitions, benefits from playing competitive teams in diverse venues—something the committee values deeply.
The Road Ahead for Tennessee
The upcoming seasons will be a litmus test for Tennessee’s growth under Heupel. The Vols are coming off consecutive strong seasons, rejuvenating a program that spent much of the 2010s mired in mediocrity. Under Heupel, the offense has become one of the most explosive in the nation, and the recruiting trail is once again yielding top-tier talent.
With the home-and-away structure in place, every season brings a fresh set of challenges and opportunities. A year might include a road trip to LSU and a home clash with Texas, followed by a flip the next year. This format adds variety and helps prevent fatigue associated with repetitive matchups.
It also benefits Tennessee from a recruiting standpoint. Prospective players often look at schedules to gauge exposure and experience. The chance to play in iconic stadiums like The Swamp, Tiger Stadium, or the Rose Bowl (if non-conference matchups allow) is enticing. Furthermore, knowing their families can see them play close to home during the rotation is a selling point.
Television and Revenue Considerations
At the heart of this scheduling shift lies a powerful force: media rights. The SEC’s blockbuster deal with ESPN and ABC underscores the importance of compelling matchups. With the college football world more fragmented and competitive than ever, networks crave content that delivers ratings.
A home-and-away model ensures fewer “down” weeks. Marquee games are spread across campuses, delivering vibrant atmospheres for television broadcasts. Tennessee playing Oklahoma in Norman one year and hosting them in Knoxville the next creates storylines, drives ticket sales, and maximizes viewership.
Neyland Stadium, one of college football’s most iconic venues, becomes an even more attractive product in this context. Sellouts become more common. Tailgates, traditions, and tourism surge. Local economies in Knoxville and other SEC cities thrive with rotating opponents bringing diverse fanbases.
Challenges and Considerations
Of course, no system is perfect. A rotating schedule means some years will be tougher than others. Tennessee might face a gauntlet in one season with road trips to Alabama, Georgia, and Texas. But those years can also forge championship-caliber teams. The cyclical nature ensures that easier paths emerge in other years.
Another potential downside is the dilution of certain historic matchups. For instance, Tennessee vs. Georgia might not be an annual fixture if permanent opponents are capped at three. This is where the SEC must tread carefully—balancing tradition with progress. Fan sentiment runs deep, and the preservation of certain rivalries is paramount.
Logistics, too, become more complex. Coordinating travel, especially for large programs, requires foresight and flexibility. But most Power Five schools have robust infrastructures to manage these demands.
Non-Conference Implications
The ACC model has also influenced how programs schedule non-conference games. With more built-in strength in their conference slates, teams can diversify their out-of-league opponents. Tennessee has historically played marquee non-conference matchups—think West Virginia, Virginia Tech, or Pitt. In the future, expect more home-and-home series with programs like Michigan, USC, or Notre Dame.
These games serve dual purposes: national exposure and playoff credibility. With the expanded playoff, one early loss no longer sinks a season. Coaches can afford to challenge their teams in September, knowing the schedule as a whole carries weight.
The Fan Experience
Perhaps the most exciting aspect of the home-and-away model is the boost it gives to fans. Imagine a season where Tennessee fans road trip to College Station, Baton Rouge, and Athens, then pack Neyland to host Florida, Kentucky, and Ole Miss. Each week becomes an event, a reunion, a pilgrimage.
Ticket packages become more dynamic. Alumni groups plan weekends around rotating destinations. Students get to experience more of what makes SEC football legendary: the tailgates, the pageantry, the rivalry.
Additionally, fans around the country benefit. Whether watching from home or in-person, the variety of matchups ensures Tennessee is front and center on national broadcasts. As college football leans more heavily into streaming and primetime slots, the Vols are poised to remain a marquee brand.
A New Chapter
The ACC’s influence on scheduling has reached beyond its borders, sparking a shift in how elite programs like Tennessee approach the game. By embracing a structure that values home-and-away equity, competitive diversity, and national relevance, Tennessee football is positioning itself for sustained success in the modern era.
For Josh Heupel and the Vols, this isn’t just a logistical change—it’s a philosophical one. It signals confidence, ambition, and a belief that Tennessee can compete with anyone, anywhere. Whether under the bright lights of Neyland Stadium or in hostile territory down south, the message is clear: the Volunteers are ready to rise.
