Permanent Rivalries
The new SEC schedule format allows for three permanent opponents, regardless of the schedule cycle. The SEC is aiming to protect traditional rivalries with the permanent opponents, which gives them several options for the Vols' permanent rivals.
1. Alabama Crimson Tide
Tennessee's first permanent rival might be the most obvious. The Third Saturday in October has been played annually since 1928 and has produced some all-time games in recent years.
While Alabama has multiple big-time rivals, including Auburn and LSU, the Vols have to fit into the Crimson Tide's schedule because of the longstanding rivalry and fun games we've seen in the Josh Heupel era.
Alabama holds a 59-40-7 series lead over Tennessee, thanks to Nick Saban, but Heupel has shown that the tides are turning with two wins in the past three seasons.
2. Vanderbilt Commodores
The next permanent rival Tennessee will have is Vanderbilt. All in-state rivalries are to be included in this, including Alabama-Auburn and Texas-Texas A&M.
Vanderbilt has taken some significant steps in the right direction in recent years, offering a fun and exciting rivalry game that has largely been in Tennessee's favor.
Tennessee owns this in-state rivalry, winning 80 out of the 118 games played since 1892. The Commodores dominated the rivalry in its beginnings, but it has been all Vols since. The Dores have only won ten games since 1960, showing Tennessee's dominance in the series.
3. Kentucky Wildcats
The last of the three Tennessee rivalry games, and the most controversial, is Kentucky. Some Tennessee fans are going to want Florida on the schedule, but I believe the SEC is going to give the Vols Kentucky over Florida as its final permanent opponent.
This is another rivalry series that Tennessee has dominated. The Vols have 85 wins in the 120-game series, including 40 of the last 45.