TN vs. BAMA GAME

[MIVOLSFAN]

Why is BAMA the only team in the SEC WEST that TN Plays every year?

Will BAMA always be on the Vols schedule?

 

[hatvol96]

Why is BAMA the only team in the SEC WEST that TN Plays every year?

Will BAMA always be on the Vols schedule?

Answer #1- Tradition.
Answer #2- Yes.

 

[cotton]

Every team in the SEC plays every other team in their division, one "perennial rival" in the opposite division, and two other teams that rotate in the other division. Tennessee's perennial rival is Bama.

This is a modification of the scheduling system put in place when the SEC went to 12 teams. Until about 4 years ago, each team had 2 perennial rivals in the opposite division and only one rotational team. At that time, UT's other perennial rival was Arkansas.

 

[ukvols]

Well put. The Bama-UT rivalry is good for football, and I'm not saying they should stop playing every year, but in most years, it gives both teams a competitive disadvantage. This year, for example, the team with the easiest conference schedule out of UT/UF/UGA won the East. In the future, South Carolina, who appears to be an emerging power, will benefit a lot. UT plays Bama every year, UGA plays Auburn every year, and UF gets LSU every year. I think SC's annual rival is Arkansas. I think it makes a difference.

 

[orangetd88]

It's because Bama is UT's only permanent foe from the West. The other 2 games rotate out every 2 years. Keeps the interest going with the other division, especially sine we play Auburn, LSU, etc, more often, instead of playing Arky every year.