Should Tennessee play Memphis regularly in football? The question comes up for discussion ever so often.
So, I decided to check with the most informed group of Tennessee sports fans – my literary contributors − and get their take on the rivalry.
I asked if they thought UT should play Memphis often or occasionally in football and basketball or just basketball. Or should Tennessee act as those Memphis doesn’t exist?
James writes: I’ve been in TN now for almost 10 years. For many of those years Memphis stood a good chance of kicking UT’s butt in either football or basketball.
I figured we didn’t play them to avoid being embarrassed. There were several years under Coach Norvell that Memphis was hands down the best FB team in the state.
But why play Memphis and possibly lose when you can get a big MAC?
My response: You’re right. Big MACs go down so easily – not just for Tennessee’s benefit, but on behalf of the entire SEC. No matter what direction college football takes, SEC schools will find a way to schedule MAC teams. Scheduling MAC teams is as much a part of SEC football as tailgating.
Glenn writes: Fans would probably enjoy yearly games with Memphis in basketball. Yearly basketball games could easily fit into the schedules with both schools and a basketball rivalry would be fun.
I’d rather see the Vols play Memphis than Kent State. Chattanooga is on the schedule this season. More games should be played with our in-state teams.
Let’s keep the football revenue at home as much as possible. But heaven help us if we ever lose to one of them again.
My response: It would be easier on the Vols ego to lose to Georgia State than Memphis. A loss to Georgia State or a MAC team wouldn’t prevent them from being hailed as state champions with a win over Vanderbilt.
Jimmy writes: I’d say there is no value in playing Memphis in football unless someone thinks it is a good recruiting tool for the western part of the state.
On the other hand, I like the idea of playing Memphis annually in basketball − nice to have an in-state rival that is more competitive than Vanderbilt, and it might indeed assist with attracting Memphis area prospects − provided that Tennessee prevails in the contest, at least a majority of the time.
My response: Tennessee vs. Memphis in basketball might be good for both schools, but my guess is the recruiting boost for the Vols would be minimal. In the NIL era, money carries more recruiting weight than in-state rivalries.
As long as the Vols keep rewarding basketball players for their name, image and likeness, their program will be competitive at a national level in basketball.
Doc writes: The answer is an unequivocal “yes”. Memphis, while further away from UTK than Atlanta, Lexington, Louisville, Athens, Columbia, and Tuscaloosa, is still part of Tennessee and there are a lot of Vol fans there who I’m sure would love the opportunity to go to a game without having to drive seven hours.
Additionally, the Memphis area is fertile recruiting ground, especially in football and basketball, and UT would be shortsighted to not want to take full advantage of that.
I would be in favor of playing the Tigers yearly in basketball and baseball (alternating between Knoxville and Memphis) and doing a home and away series with football games every three – four years. I don’t think a yearly matchup in football is necessary.
My response: The only reason for UT to play Memphis in football is if the Tigers finally hook up with a Power 5 conference – and that’s not out of the question. Then, the Tigers could serve as their “marquee” nonconference opponent.
Chris writes: With the way scheduling is in football I wouldn’t try to play it every year, maybe every 3 or 4 years.
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There is a little more flexibility with basketball scheduling so they should definitely be able to work out something on an annual basis.
My response: How about if the football teams met annually in Nashville? Imagine half the stadium filled with Memphis fans, and half with Tennessee fans.
Just kidding.
Tennessee fans would make it seem like a home game, though not as much like a home game as when they take over Vanderbilt Stadium, aka Neyland West.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 orjohn.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.
