Tennessee's 2025 Football Journey - A Battle on the Gridiron

Tennessee Football 2025 Schedule Highlights

The 2025 Tennessee football schedule is filled with exciting matchups. On August 30, they will face Syracuse in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. This is no easy task as Syracuse has a 9-3 record and a No. 21 CFP ranking this season. They also have home games against ETSU on September 6 and UAB on September 20. Against ETSU, Tennessee holds a 1-0 record, and against UAB, they are 5-0. Then comes the highly anticipated SEC game against Georgia on September 13. After that, they will travel to Mississippi State on September 27 and face Arkansas on October 11. The tough road games continue with a trip to Alabama on October 18, upholding their traditional Third Saturday in October rivalry game. They will also play at Kentucky on October 25 and host Oklahoma on November 1. Later in the season, they will face Florida in The Swamp on November 22 and Vanderbilt on November 29.

Rivals will remain on schedule at least for one more year. The SEC will stick with an eight-game conference schedule in 2025, keeping Florida, Alabama, Kentucky, and Vanderbilt on Tennessee's slate. But there is no guarantee beyond that. If the SEC goes to a nine-game schedule in 2026, some of these games may no longer be annual matchups. In the 3-6 model, teams would play the same three conference rivals every season and rotate opponents. Tennessee is likely to play Vanderbilt, Alabama, and either South Carolina or Kentucky as permanent SEC opponents. If so, the Florida rivalry would be played in alternating years. However, the possibility of staying with an eight-game schedule in 2026 has gained momentum after the SEC only got three teams into the College Football Playoff. In the 1-7 model, teams would play one permanent opponent and seven rotating conference opponents. For Tennessee, that permanent opponent would be Vanderbilt, and its other rivals would no longer be on the schedule every season.

Syracuse - A Tough Opponent for Tennessee's Opener

UT must be at their best to start the 2025 season as they face Syracuse in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic. Syracuse's performance this season is impressive, with a 9-3 record and a high CFP ranking. They have already achieved a win over Miami and will play Washington State in the Holiday Bowl. Tennessee has a combined 9-0 record against their nonconference opponents in history, with 3-0 against Syracuse, 1-0 against ETSU, and 5-0 against UAB. But they have never played New Mexico State before. This game will test Tennessee's mettle and set the tone for the rest of the season.

The Vols have a lot on their plate in 2025. With tough opponents both within and outside the SEC, they will need to bring their A-game to every game. But with a talented team and a passionate fan base, Tennessee is ready to make their mark on the football field.