Virginia, Tennessee set to open 2023 season in Nashville

The Virginia Cavaliers and Tennessee Volunteers announced a season-opening matchup for the 2023 season on Monday. The teams will face off in a “neutral site” on Sept. 2 in Nashville at Nissan Stadium.

Virginia is filling in a hole in the Tennessee schedule, left by BYU’s cancellation. Also on the Vols’ non-conference list for 2023 are Austin Peay, UTSA and UConn.

Tennessee heading to Music City once again

The Cavs and Vols haven’t met since the 1991 USF&G Sugar Bowl. Prior to that, UVA defeated Tennessee 16-13 in 1980, lost to the Volunteers 41-16 in 1940 and dropped the inaugural meeting 42-0 in 1927. Tennessee holds a 3-1 advantage in the series.

The Vols last played at Nissan Stadium in December during the 2021 TransPerfect Music City Bowl, losing to Purdue in overtime. The game will be just the third time Tennessee has played in a regular-season, non-conference game at Nissan Stadium. They played Bowling Green in 2015 and Wyoming in 2002.

UVA’s most recent game in Nashville came during the 2018 season when the Cavaliers defeated Ohio 45-31. The Sept. 15 game was moved to Vanderbilt Stadium due to the threat of severe weather in the Charlottesville area from Hurricane Florence.

The game is the fifth time the two programs have played each other. The Volunteers own a 3-1 advantage in the series. The last meeting was a 23-22 victory by Tennessee at the 1991 USF&G Sugar Bowl. Prior to that, UVA defeated Tennessee 16-13 in 1980, lost to the Volunteers 41-16 in 1940 and dropped the inaugural meeting 42-0 in 1927. The first three games between the two teams were all played in Knoxville.

By the time the UVA-Tennessee matchup rolls around, the Vols could be starting a five-star at quarterback. Tennessee beat out Alabama, Georgia, Ole Miss, Oregon, and others early for 2023 five-star quarterback commitment Nico Iamaleava.