The Tennessee Vols play a fairly difficult schedule in 2024, though that's essentially the case every year for every team that's in the SEC.
Tennessee will host tough matchups against Florida, Alabama, and Kentucky. And they'll play some tough road games against Oklahoma and Georgia.
The Vols will also face Mississippi State, Arkansas, and Vanderbilt in SEC play.
While those should be some fun matchups, there are a few other games that we wish were on Tennessee's schedule in 2024.
(Note: These are in no particular order.)
1. Colorado Buffaloes
I'm pretty sure every program in the country wants to play Colorado in 2024.
Buffaloes head coach Deion Sanders has managed to turn Colorado into the villains of college football thanks to his brash and unapologetic approach to building a roster. Sanders isn't afraid to roast a player and send him on his way if the player is deemed "not good enough" to play for Colorado.
As a result, it seems like everyone wants a chance to silence the noise coming out Boulder.
A matchup against Colorado would also have plenty of eyes on it. Deion vs the SEC would be must-see television across the country.
2. Missouri Tigers
Tennessee undoubtedly wants a shot at revenge after losing to Missouri last season in blowout fashion. Throw in Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz's "we stand on business" comment to UT head coach Josh Heupel and it's easy to see why the Vols would be eager to play Mizzou in 2025.
But unfortunately for the Vols, revenge will have to wait until at least 2026 since the Tigers aren't on Tennessee's schedule in 2025, either.
3. South Carolina Gamecocks
Tennessee exacted revenge against South Carolina last season for the loss in 2022 to the Gamecocks in Columbia.
But I'm guessing the Vols would love another chance to go into Columbia, a place that's been a house of horrors for Tennessee at times, and try to earn a win.
However, just like with Missouri, the Vols won't get another shot at South Carolina until at least 2026.
4. Texas Longhorns
As is the case with the above SEC teams, the Vols won't play Texas until 2026 at the earliest. And that's a bummer. For starters, everyone wants to see the battle of the real UT. I think fans in general would also be intrigued by the idea of Arch Manning, the nephew of Vols legend Peyton Manning, playing against Tennessee (Arch enters the season as a backup at Texas, but you never know what could transpire over the course of a season).
5. Ole Miss Rebels
I'm sure Tennessee still feels like they let one get away in 2021 when they lost to the Rebels in Knoxville. That's a game the Vols should've won. And if they execute a bit better and a couple of huge calls aren't missed by the officials, then Tennessee probably gets a win against Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss (instead of the Rebels getting a win and trash pelting the field).
Because of the SEC's lazy scheduling effort in 2025, the Vols won't play Ole Miss again until 2026 at the earliest.
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