The Vols, along with Auburn and Mississippi State, are the three opponents that will be on the Commodores' schedule every year. Vanderbilt will also face Arkansas in 2026 for the first time since 2018. In the SEC's new scheduling format, teams will face their non-permanent opponents once every other year.

Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel didn’t mince words after last Saturday’s disappointing 45–24 loss to in-state rival Vanderbilt. He called the Volunteers’ performance far below the expectations of the program.