Tennessee’s paths to the 2026 SEC Championship Game

Tennessee can reach the 2026 SEC Championship Game by winning out and getting either a Texas loss or a specific four-team tie involving Georgia. The Vols’ position took a hit when Texas rallied to beat LSU in Baton Rouge. Tennessee, Alabama and Texas now have two SEC losses.

If that three-team tie remains, Alabama would advance to face Georgia because the Crimson Tide’s conference opponents have the highest SEC winning percentage among the tied teams. Tennessee’s clearest route is to beat LSU and Vanderbilt while Texas loses to either Arkansas or Texas A&M.

Another path opens if South Carolina beats Georgia in Columbia, creating a four-way tie atop the conference standings. With Texas, Tennessee and Alabama also winning out, the resulting tiebreaker would send Tennessee and Georgia to Atlanta.

Georgia has already secured its place in the championship game with a 7-1 SEC record, including a 48-21 win over Missouri. A loss to South Carolina would not remove the Bulldogs from the title game.

Tennessee must first beat LSU at Neyland Stadium on Saturday to keep either scenario alive. That game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC or ESPN. The Vols then finish the regular season at Vanderbilt on Nov. 28 in a game scheduled for the 6-8 p.m. ET window.

The program is seeking its first SEC Championship Game appearance since 2007. Tennessee has played in the game five times, going 2-3 with championships in 1997 and 1998 before losing its next three appearances in 2001, 2004 and 2007.

Why it matters

Tennessee remains in the SEC title race, but it does not control its path to Atlanta. Winning out is mandatory, and the Vols also need help from Texas or South Carolina.

What to watch next

Tennessee hosts LSU on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC or ESPN. Texas plays Arkansas, while Georgia closes SEC play at South Carolina.