A Season of Reunions and Rivalries
The 2026 slate for the Tennessee Volunteers reads like a who’s who of recent program history, with ten opponents who either once wore orange and white or now carry storylines that could shape the Vols’ campaign.
Alex Golesh, who orchestrated the Vols’ most prolific offensive season in 2022, now guides the Auburn Tigers, making his return to a conference that once hosted his breakthrough schemes.
Lane Kiffin, the controversial former Tennessee coach, has resurfaced at LSU, where his reputation for dramatic game‑changing plays precedes him and where his past clashes with the Vols still spark debate.
Max Gilbert, the reliable kicker who helped steady Tennessee’s special teams, transferred to Arkansas and could be the difference‑maker when the Razorbacks visit Knoxville.
Jordan Ross, the edge rusher who left as a graduate transfer, now anchors LSU’s defensive front, meaning the Vols will have to navigate a new pass‑rush threat from a familiar defensive mind.
Arch Manning, the highly touted quarterback from Texas, brings his family’s storied legacy to the SEC, promising a marquee matchup that will draw national attention.
Sam Leavitt, a former Arizona State transfer who chose LSU over Knoxville, is expected to compete for playing time, adding another layer of intrigue to the Volunteers’ defensive preparations.
Tim Banks, who spent three years as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, now shapes Auburn’s defensive schemes, meaning his former charges may have to adjust to a familiar tactical approach.
Rickey Gibson, a former cornerback who moved to Texas A&M, will face his alma mater, and his experience in the secondary could test the Vols’ receiving corps.
Caleb Herring, another edge rusher who departed for South Carolina, brings a relentless motor to a game that could hinge on pressure from the line.
Jordan Matthews, a former cornerback who transferred to Vanderbilt, will be back in a rivalry that has intensified over the past decade, adding yet another chapter to the state’s football narrative.
Together, these storylines suggest that the Volunteers’ success will hinge not only on their own execution but also on how they navigate a schedule littered with former teammates, coaches and high‑profile prospects.