Tennessee and Nebraska had plans to face off in the 2026 and 2027 seasons, but those games were called off this past Friday.
ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that Nebraska requested eight home games in the 2027 season due to ongoing renovations at Memorial Stadium. The renovations mean fewer seats will be available, prompting Nebraska to avoid traveling to Knoxville.
Originally, Nebraska was set to host Tennessee in 2026, with the Volunteers returning the favor by playing in Nebraska in 2027. Now, both teams are on the hunt for new opponents to fill their schedules in those years.
Lincoln’s Memorial Stadium would have been a lively backdrop for this matchup. However, these plans fell apart, leaving Tennessee’s athletic director, Danny White, none too pleased. He clarified via Twitter, “Correction: Tennessee is not canceling this series. Nebraska did. We are very disappointed that they didn’t want to play these games, especially this close to 2026.”
Finding another high-quality opponent for those open dates is tricky territory. Tennessee will need to work on this dilemma soon, as the 2026 season approaches.
This series had the potential to be a thrilling spectacle, with Tennessee being a powerhouse in the SEC and Nebraska making strides forward under coach Matt Rhule. Rhule, in just his second season, managed to guide Nebraska to a respectable 7-6 record and a victory in the Pinstripe Bowl in 2024.
Rhule’s efforts are geared towards elevating the Cornhuskers even higher in 2025, backed by robust recruiting strategies.
Perhaps, with successful discussions and a renovated Memorial Stadium, we’ll see these two schools go head-to-head in the future.
In related news, the College Football Playoff might be on the verge of another significant change.
