Ranking the most anticipated Tennessee games for this season

As the Tennessee Volunteers gear up for the 2024 college football season, fans are eagerly anticipating a series of high-stakes matchups that promise to define their campaign. 

From renewing historic rivalries to facing off against formidable opponents in the SEC, here are the most anticipated games for the Volunteers this upcoming season.

3. Vs. Florida, Oct. 12

The rivalry between the Volunteers and the Florida Gators is one of the most storied in college football, dating back over 100 years to their first meeting in 1916. This season’s game on Oct. 12 carries significant weight, especially after the Gators upset the Vols last year, 29-16.

This game will be a test for the Volunteers, proving whether they are contenders or pretenders in the SEC. Despite being the better football team on paper, Tennessee has often struggled against Florida. In their past 10  contests, the Vols are 2-8 against the Gators and are 1-2 under head coach Josh Heupel.

Winning this game is crucial for the Volunteers, not only for bragging rights but also for maintaining their standing in a highly competitive conference.

2. At Oklahoma, Sept. 21

The Volunteers’ clash with the Oklahoma Sooners on Sept. 21 is one of the most intriguing matchups on their schedule. This game marks the first meeting between the two programs since September 2015. Adding to the excitement, it will be Oklahoma’s first conference game in the SEC.

This matchup is laden with storylines. Tennessee’s head coach, Josh Heupel, has deep ties to the Sooners, having quarterbacked them to a national championship in 2000 and later serving as their offensive coordinator from 2011-14. 

The game will also feature two first-year starting quarterbacks, Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold and Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava, both of whom were five-star recruits in the 2023 class. This encounter is not just about the game; it’s about the narrative, the history and the future of these two programs in the SEC.

1. Vs. Alabama, Oct. 19

No game on the Tennessee schedule stirs more emotion than their annual clash with the Alabama Crimson Tide on the third Saturday in October. This rivalry, known for its intensity and historical significance, will see the villainous Crimson Tide visit Knoxville on Oct. 19. The atmosphere will be electric as fans anticipate one of the most heated matchups in all of college football.

The recent history between these two teams adds another layer of drama. In 2022, the Volunteers pulled off a stunning upset against Alabama in Neyland Stadium, only for the Tide to exact revenge the following year in Tuscaloosa. 

Although most of the players from those contests are gone, the meetings from the past two seasons are fresh in the fan’s minds. They are seeking retribution.

This year, the Volunteers will face Alabama’s new head coach, Kalen DeBoer, after the legendary Nick Saban announced his retirement following the 2023 season. DeBoer is a proven winner and a very crafty play designer. 

Last season, he led the Washington Huskies to a 14-1 season and an appearance in the national championship. The Vols’ defense will have to be prepared for a new, fast-paced ‘Bama offense.