New schedule formatting could impact the future of some SEC rivalry matchups, but one such game reportedly isn’t going anywhere next year.
According to Football Scoop’s John Brice, the SEC is expected to schedule the annual October showdown between Alabama and Tennessee in 2024.
#NEWS Several sources tell @FootballScoop that as the @SEC prepares for its historic 2024 football schedule reveal this evening, the league is expected to preserve the ‘Third Saturday in October’ rivalry game between @AlabamaFTBL & @Vol_Football
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) June 14, 2023
However, it’s unclear what will happen beyond next year.
After much debate, the SEC will keep an eight-game conference schedule when welcoming Oklahoma and Texas in 2024. Yet they’re doing so on a one-year basis, keeping the door open for an increase to nine in 2025 and beyond.
Upholding the eight-game format could jeopardize the storied Alabama-Tennessee matchup occurring every season. They’ve faced off annually since 1928.
The Volunteers snapped a 15-year losing streak with a dramatic 52-49 victory last fall. Nick Saban’s squad will seek vengeance when Alabama hosts Tennesee on Oct. 21.
While the long-term future remains a mystery, the SEC will reveal the 2024 matchups on Wednesday night.