The opponents have been known for some time, but Tennessee released its full 2016 football schedule on Thursday that includes the dates of when the Vols will take on their eight conference opponents and four non-conference foes.
Sept. 3: Appalachian State
Sept. 10: Virginia Tech (Battle at Bristol; Bristol Motor Speedway)
Sept. 17: Ohio
Sept. 24: Florida
Oct. 1: at Georgia
Oct. 8: at Texas A&M
Oct. 15: Alabama
Oct. 22: BYE
Oct. 29: at South Carolina
Nov. 5: Tennessee Tech
Nov. 12: Kentucky
Nov. 19: Missouri
Nov. 26: at Vanderbilt
Notes:
• Third Saturday in October returns: The Tennessee-Alabama rivalry has traditionally been played on the Third Saturday in October, but SEC expansion has affected that tradition. It’s only been played at that time six times since 1995. That tradition returns in 2016.
• Tough meat of the schedule: While it isn’t too difficult, even this far in advance, to look at the first three games of the season and the last five and see where the Vols could have a lot of success to being and end the season, the most challenging part it clearly sandwiched right in between those two stretches with Florida, trips to Georgia and A&M as well as a home date against Alabama comprising what could be one of the most difficult stretches in all of college football next year.
• Light travel: Outside of the obvious hike to College Station, Tex., this will be one of the lighter traveling schedules for the Vols in recent history. Outside of that game, UT doesn’t play a game more than 270 miles from Knoxville, while nine games will be played inside the state of Tennessee.
