NASHVILLE — Tennessee State University football announced its 2026 season schedule on Tuesday, highlighted by a four major HBCU games, a challenging slate of OVC–Big South Conference games, marquee home matchups and key road tests as the Tigers look to build momentum under second-year head coach Reggie Barlow.
TSU vs Jackson State — Week 0 — Aug 29
The matchup marks the first-ever meeting between TSU and Jackson State at the John A. Merritt Classic, adding a new chapter to a series that dates back more than seven decades. Tennessee State holds a 30-23-2 all-time advantage in the series, which began with the teams' first meeting in 1949. As part of a home-and-home series agreement, the rivalry will continue in 2027 when Tennessee State travels to Jackson, Mississippi, to face Jackson State. A meeting between the programs at Hale Stadium on Sept. 10, 1988, remains the fourth-most attended game in stadium history, as 18,954 fans witnessed a 26-26 tie. Two other TSU–Jackson State matchups also rank among the top 20 in Hale Stadium attendance. The teams last met on Sept. 10, 2022, at the Southern Heritage Classic, where Jackson State earned a 16-3 victory.
TSU at Georgia — Week 1 — Sept 5
TSU's lone FBS game pits the Tigers against National Powerhouse and four-time National Champions (1942, 1980, 2021 and 2022). This will be the first all-time meeting between the Tigers and Bulldogs. The Tiger are 0-4 all-time against SEC foes (0-3 vs Vanderbilt and 0-1 vs Mississippi State).
TSU at Alabama A&M — Week 2 — Sept 12
The second game of the Legacy Series outs the Tigers in Alabama and Louis Crews Stadium looking for retribution against the Bulldogs. Last season, AAMU defeated the Tigers 21-23 at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee State leads the all-time series 21-9. The Tigers have thrived in lopsided games, winning 14 of 16 matchups decided by 20 points or more, but are 0-5 in games decided by nine points or fewer. TSU owns the longest winning streak in the series with three straight wins from 1998-2001, while Alabama A&M has taken seven of the last 11 meetings. The Tigers' largest win was a 42-7 victory in 2004 at Nissan Stadium, which also hosted the highest-attended game in the series with 25,342 fans in 2005.
TSU at Florida A&M — Week 3 —Sept 19
The series resumes with the 56th all-time meeting between the programs and marks the first matchup since 2017. Tennessee State will travel to Tallahassee in 2026 before hosting the Rattlers in 2027, when the Tigers will serve as the designated home team. Kickoff time for the 2026 game will be announced at a later date. Tennessee State holds a 31–24 advantage in the all-time series, adding another layer of intrigue to the renewal of a rivalry that has helped shape the national profile of HBCU football. The matchup carries deep historical significance for TSU. One of the most memorable games in program history came on Oct. 25, 1969, when the Tigers defeated Florida A&M 33–20 in front of 20,000 fans, the third-most attended game ever on TSU's campus. Tennessee State and Florida A&M have met 21 times in classic settings, including 17 appearances in the Atlanta Football Classic/Atlanta Ebony Classic. The programs have also faced off in the Gateway Classic (1993), Orange Blossom Classic (1956), John Merritt Classic (2012), Tampa Classic (2017) and during TSU Homecoming games in 1971, 1979, 1994 and 2014.
BYE — Week 4 — Sept 26
TSU at Western Illinois — Week 5 — Oct 3
This is the second all-time meeting between Tennessee State and Western Illinois. Last season, Western Illinois defeated TSU 17-16
TSU vs UT Martin — Week 6 — Oct 10
This marks the 36th all-time meeting between Tennessee State and UT Martin, with the Tigers holding an 18-17 advantage in the series. TSU has dropped the last five meetings overall and six straight at Hardy Graham Stadium. Last season, UT Martin defeated TSU 26-7.
TSU vs Morgan State — Week 7 — Oct 17
The Tigers will host the Bears in Nashville on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, with the return game scheduled for the 2027 season in Baltimore. The matchup renews a series between two proud HBCU programs with a limited but successful history. Tennessee State is unbeaten all-time against Morgan State, including a 14-0 victory in the 1972 Atlanta Ebony Classic at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and a 21-0 shutout at Vanderbilt Stadium in 1985. The Tigers also earned back-to-back wins later in the decade, defeating the Bears 52-10 in Baltimore in 1986 before securing a 37-17 victory at Hale Stadium in 1987.
TSU vs Charleston Southern — Week 8 — Oct 24
This marks the fourth meeting between TSU and Charleston Southern, with each team winning on its home field since 2023. CSU edged TSU 7-6 last season.
TSU at Lindenwood — Week 9 — Oct 31
Tennessee State and Lindenwood meet for the fourth time, with TSU holding a 2-1 series edge. Lindenwood won 35-13 in Nashville last season.
TSU vs SEMO — Week 10 — Nov 7
This is the meet for the 33rd time, with SEMO narrowly leading the series 17-15. TSU is 10-5 in Nashville, but SEMO won last season's meeting 28-12.
TSU vs Eastern Illinois — Week 11 — Nov 14
Tennessee State and Eastern Illinois meet for the 30th time, with EIU holding a 17-12 series lead. TSU has won four of the last six meetings, though the Panthers took a 31-7 win last season.
TSU at Gardner-Webb — Week 12 — Nov 21
The season finale is the fourth all-time meeting, with the Tigers leading the series 2-1.
