Tennessee Volunteers have announced a busy 2028 football schedule that includes their first-ever meeting with Central Michigan, a neutral‑site showdown against West Virginia in Charlotte, and the start of a home‑and‑home series with Washington that will stretch into 2030.
A New Chapter in Non‑Conference Planning
The agreement with Central Michigan comes with a $1.3 million payment to the Chippewas, a figure that reflects the growing financial stakes of non‑conference matchups for Power Five programs.
In addition to the new opponents, Tennessee will host traditional SEC rivals Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, South Carolina and Texas A&M at home, while traveling to Auburn, LSU, Texas and Vanderbilt for road contests.
The Volunteers will open the 2029 season in Knoxville against Washington before making the trek to Seattle for the rematch in 2030, a arrangement that underscores the program’s effort to diversify its slate.
Coaching Connections and Future Implications
Central Michigan’s head coach Matt Drinkall, who spent last season at Army before joining the Chippewas, enters his second year with a 7‑6 record from his debut campaign, adding a narrative subplot to the upcoming game.
These scheduling moves illustrate how modern college football programs are balancing revenue‑generating neutral sites, regional rivalries and strategic road trips to shape competitive and financial objectives.