Tennessee’s football program now faces an unexpected scheduling challenge after Nebraska backed out of their planned home-and-home series for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. This sudden cancellation leaves Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White in a tough spot, tasked with finding new opponents on short notice, a difficult feat given how far in advance most college football schedules are finalized.
Nebraska’s withdrawal from the series was primarily driven by financial considerations. The Cornhuskers aimed to secure an eighth home game in 2027 to offset revenue losses caused by stadium renovations at Memorial Stadium, which will temporarily reduce its seating capacity. Nebraska quickly filled their now-open slots by scheduling Bowling Green in 2026 and Miami (Ohio) in 2027. This move mirrors a growing trend in college football, where schools opt for easier non-conference games to improve their win-loss record while managing financial goals, as seen when Indiana canceled its series with Louisville.
The cancellation left White visibly disappointed, prompting him to publicly correct ESPN’s Pete Thamel on social media to clarify that the decision was entirely Nebraska’s. With the SEC currently mandating at least one non-conference game against a Power 4 opponent each season, Tennessee is now racing against time to fill these two critical spots.
The broader landscape of SEC scheduling may soon shift, as conference leaders consider increasing the number of conference games to nine and potentially striking a scheduling agreement with the Big Ten, similar to a basketball-style challenge. But until these decisions are finalized, Tennessee must adhere to the existing scheduling requirements.
As it stands, Tennessee’s future non-conference schedules for 2026 and 2027 are sparse. The only confirmed games are against Furman in 2026 and Western Michigan in 2027, neither of which satisfies the SEC’s Power 4 requirement. Thus, the Vols need to find quality opponents quickly.
White has previously shown resourcefulness in handling similar situations. Since becoming Tennessee’s Athletic Director in January 2021, he has made several significant scheduling changes. One example includes buying out a scheduled game at BYU in 2023 and replacing it with a season opener against Virginia at a neutral site in Nashville. Additionally, after the SEC forced Tennessee to cancel a home game against Oklahoma in 2024 due to the Sooners’ upcoming move to the conference, White arranged a neutral-site game against NC State in Charlotte.
Given his past flexibility, White has a few strategies he could use to fill the current gaps:
- One-off neutral site games: This approach allows for high-profile matchups without the commitment of a return game. Nashville’s Nissan Stadium is a frequent choice for such games.
- Home-and-home series: Though ideal for maintaining traditional scheduling formats, securing a Power 4 opponent willing to commit to a home-and-home series on short notice is challenging.
- One-off games at Neyland Stadium: Hosting a standalone game in Knoxville without requiring a return game. However, most Power 4 teams are hesitant to agree to such arrangements unless there are significant incentives.
The challenge lies in finding Power 4 teams with schedule openings in both 2026 and 2027 that align with Tennessee’s needs. GoVols247 reviewed the future schedules of other Power 4 teams and identified a few potential candidates for a home-and-home series:
- Boston College: Their schedule has openings in both seasons, though they already have home-and-homes scheduled with Rutgers and Cincinnati.
- Stanford: Their 2026 and 2027 schedules are relatively open, with only a few non-conference games set.
- TCU: They have manageable schedules in both years, making them a feasible option.
- USC and Washington: Both have some flexibility, though existing commitments could complicate matters.
- Syracuse: Available in both seasons but might not be ideal, considering the two teams are already scheduled to face each other in 2025.
- Florida State and Pittsburgh: Both have scheduling conflicts or existing Power 4 commitments that make them less likely.
If a home-and-home isn’t possible, Tennessee might focus on filling just the 2026 slot first and revisit the 2027 opening later. This could give White more time and flexibility, especially if broader scheduling changes occur across college football.
For one-off games in 2026, additional Power 4 teams with open schedules include:
- Houston: With two non-conference games already scheduled, they could fit Tennessee into their lineup.
- Indiana: With a relatively light schedule, they might be open to a marquee matchup.
- Kansas State and Wake Forest: Both have room in their schedules and could be potential one-off game candidates.
As for 2027, there are more potential options, though some teams already have two Power 4 games scheduled, limiting their availability. Still, several programs could fit into Tennessee’s plans:
- Duke: With only Notre Dame on their non-conference slate, they have openings.
- Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan State: All have one Power 4 game scheduled, leaving space for another major matchup.
- Utah: With high-profile games against Miami and Wyoming already scheduled, they could be interested in adding another strong opponent.
- Virginia: The Cavaliers could offer a rematch after playing Tennessee recently.
However, these options come with challenges. Many programs may be unwilling to commit to road games without return guarantees, and Tennessee must also weigh the competitive balance and financial implications of each option.
The uncertainty surrounding future SEC scheduling complicates matters further. If the conference shifts to nine conference games or reaches a scheduling agreement with the Big Ten, the requirements for non-conference matchups could change, potentially easing Tennessee’s scheduling burden. Still, those decisions remain speculative for now.
Ultimately, this situation highlights the difficulties athletic directors face when sudden changes occur. Scheduling high-profile non-conference games is a complex, long-term process, often planned years in advance. Having Nebraska back out less than two years before the games were set to be played puts Tennessee in a difficult position.
While White has shown he can maneuver through similar challenges in the past, finding quality opponents on short notice is no easy feat. The Vols must not only meet SEC scheduling requirements but also ensure that their non-conference slate is competitive enough to strengthen their College Football Playoff résumé while maintaining favorable odds for a successful season.
As the search for replacements continues, Tennessee fans will be watching closely to see how White navigates this latest hurdle. The decisions made in the coming months could significantly impact the Vols’ national standing and postseason aspirations in the highly competitive landscape of college football.
