The Tennessee Volunteers have opponents from the “power five” conferences scheduled for four of the next five seasons, including this upcoming season.
2017 is the one year where Tennessee doesn’t have a non-conference game scheduled, but that could be changing soon according to the Knoxville News Sentinel.
Georgia Tech head coach Paul Johnson told the Knoxville News Sentinel that the Yellow Jackets may open the 2017 season against the Vols in the Atlanta Falcons’ new stadium.
The Vols last played in Atlanta in 2012, a win against NC State that was one of the brighter moments of the Derek Dooley era.
Tennessee wouldn’t confirm the report, according to KNS, but that just means a deal hasn’t been finalized.
If this game does end up happening it would give the Vols four straight seasons with a game on a neutral field (though it’s a technicality in this case, since Georgia Tech is located in Atlanta).
Regardless, Vol fans have to be relieved that Tennessee isn’t trying to schedule a game against another possible top five opponent.
Georgia Tech will be a formidable opponent, but they’re no Oregon or Oklahoma.
I’d expect this game to be officially announced sooner, rather than later.
Future non-conference neutral site games