Vol Football Will Play An In-State Foe For The First Time In 2027

Image: Tennessee Athletics

By Cody McClure

Michigan vs. Michigan State. Oklahoma vs. Oklahoma State. Florida vs. Florida State.

Some great college football rivalries involving the “state” school vs. the state institution school. Not sure that makes sense.

But how about Tennessee vs. Tennessee State???

The two schools have never played in football but now they’re set to meet on the gridiron, per The Tennessean.

A game will take place between the Vols and Tigers in 2027. The exact date is unknown but it will be in the early part of the season.

The game is “tentatively” going to be in Neyland Stadium, although TSU is pushing for it to be played at the brand new Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

"We've been working on the Tennessee game for a while," TSU athletic director Mikki Allen said. "It's going to be a special game. We're still working with their administration to figure out where to play. Because we're here by the state capital and would love to play that game in the inaugural year at the new Nissan Stadium."

Allen played for the Vols and was on the 1998 national championship team.

The Tigers are set to meet Georgia, UT, Vanderbilt, and Middle Tennessee State over the next four years.

The last time TSU took the field against an FBS team was in 2023 when it lost to Notre Dame, 56-3.