What a 9-game SEC football schedule would mean for Tennessee Vols
When Oklahoma and Texas join the SEC, the conference will strengthen, overall.
But Tennessee's schedule? It might ease up.
The SEC is considering expanding its conference schedule to nine games when those Big 12 teams join, but that doesn't spell doom for the Vols.
On this edition of "The Volunteer State," Blake Toppmeyer of the USA TODAY Network and the News Sentinel's John Adams and Adam Sparks debate the impact that an expanded SEC schedule might have on Tennessee.
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If the SEC embraces a nine-game conference schedule, each team would be designated three rivals it would play annually, plus an additional six opponents that would rotate onto the schedule once every two years.
When asked about UT's three possible rivals in a nine-game configuration, Vols coach Josh Heupel first pointed to Alabama, Vanderbilt and Kentucky.
That would mean Tennessee would drop down to playing Georgia and Florida once every two years. Considering Georgia is trending toward juggernaut status, playing the Bulldogs in alternating years should be a welcome change for UT.
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Plus, getting Vanderbilt and Kentucky on the docket every year would be a draw many others in the league would envy.
And there's been discussion that if a nine-game conference schedule is approved, the SEC may consider dropping the requirement that every team must play at least one nonconference game against a Power Five opponent.
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As such, Tennessee may opt for an easier nonconference schedule to offset the additional conference game. Hello, Mid-American Conference opponents.
Currently, the Vols must play Alabama, Georgia and Florida every season. Alabama and Florida have dominated those rivalries for nearly two decades, and Georgia has won five straight in the series.
So, a schedule shakeup could work to UT's benefit.
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Blake Toppmeyer is an SEC Columnist for the USA TODAY Network. Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat writer for the Knoxville News Sentinel. John Adams is the News Sentinel's senior columnist. If you enjoy their coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it. Also, you can subscribe to The Volunteer State podcast for free so you won't miss an episode. Toppmeyer and Adams also host another weekly podcast, SEC Football Unfiltered.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: What a 9-game SEC football schedule would mean for Tennessee Vols
