While there is no shortage of preseason football coverage in our area, we figured football fans like you would appreciate a heads-up of the most important dates of the upcoming football season. If you're a fan of Rutherford County high school football, the Vols, Blue Raiders, Commodores, or the Titans, we've got you covered.  

Here are the most notable football games for fans in Middle Tennessee, listed in chronological order:

• 8/24 - High School - Oakland @ Maryville - Rematch of state semi-final
  
  

This game is turning into quite the rivalry between two of the premier high school football programs in the Volunteer State. Maryville lost to Oakland in their regular season tilt last August in the 'Boro, but the Rebels scored 10 points in the final eight minutes versus Oakland in the state semifinals at Maryville two months later on their way to their eventual 16th State Championship.

• 9/1 - NCAA - Tennessee vs. West Virginia - Pruitt's debut 
  

Let's face it, the Vols were putrid in 2017. No one could have predicted that Tennessee would suffer its first 8-loss season in program history. Unfortunately for new head coach Jeremy Pruitt, 2018 doesn't start out easy either. A neutral field matchup in Charlotte against Dana Holgerson's high-octane offense will test Pruitt and the Vols early and often.

• 9/9 - NFL - Titans @ Miami - NFL Season Opener 
  

Tennessee's NFL team is also debuting a new head coach. It's been a long offseason since the Titans fell at New England in the playoffs. The Titans faithful hope to see a revamped offense along with those revamped uniforms.

• 9/15 - NCAA - Vanderbilt @ Notre Dame - Touchdown Jesus 
  

Anytime an SEC school travels to Notre Dame, it should be a must-watch--even if that SEC team is Vanderbilt. The pageantry, the history and the opportunity to play on national television (NBC at 1 pm) is as big as it gets for Vanderbilt. The 'Dores were outscored 142-38 in three appearances on national television last season.

• 9/21 - High School - Blackman @ Oakland - Playoff Preview?
  

The crosstown high school matchup is one of the premier regular-season games in Rutherford County. The top two programs in the region face off at Oakland this year. The Patriots won the regular season match at Blackman a season ago and then defeated the Blaze in the playoffs at Oakland.

• 9/29 - NCAA - Florida Atlantic @ MTSU - Kiffin returns to the Volunteer State
  

Lane Kiffin's return to the state of Tennessee as an opposing head coach would've been huge news five years ago. Although time has healed some of those old wounds, Kiffin bringing his high-powered Florida Atlantic offense to Middle Tennessee should sell more than a few extra tickets.

• 10/20 - NCAA - Alabama @ Tennessee - Pruitt vs. Former Boss Saban 
  

There's no reason to think Tennessee can compete in this game. Between the rivalry factor and the added theater of Pruitt squaring off against his former boss should be worth the price of admission.

• 10/26 - High School- Riverdale @ Blackman - The Backyard Brawl 
  

There's not a lot of distance between these two schools, but there's plenty of tension between these two football teams. While Riverdale owned the rivalry in its early years, Blackman has won seven straight versus the Warriors.

• 11/2 - NCAA - Western Kentucky @ MTSU - 100 miles of hate 
  

The Blue Raiders have not fared so well in recent years against the hated Hilltoppers, but 2018 appears to be, at least on paper, a chance for MTSU to avenge some of those recent losses in the "100 Miles of Hate" rivalry.

• 11/5 - NFL - Titans @ Cowboys - MNF 
  

Being featured on Monday Night Football is still a big deal no matter what some of the pundits say. Being featured on MNF at Dallas is an even bigger deal.  

• 11/11 - NFL - Patriots @ Titans 
  

Six short days after the game in Dallas, the Titans return to Nashville to take on the defending AFC champion New England Patriots. Talk about a tall order. Should the Titans come out of this two-game stretch with at least one win, consider it a bonus.

• 11/24 - NCAA - Tennessee @ Vanderbilt - Little Brother no more 
  

Riding a two-game win streak against their cross-state rival, many of those in the Vanderbilt program now expect to beat Tennessee even while many fans on both sides will always expect the Vols to win this annual tilt. Despite his recent success in this series, Derek Mason's job could potentially be on the line in this one.

• 12/6 - NFL - Jags @ Titans - AFC South on the line?
  

The Jaguars won the AFC South last season despite losing twice to the Titans. Last season's Thursday night game vs. the Pittsburgh Steelers didn't go well for the Titans (40-17 loss) and they are 5-8 all-time in the midweek game. Titans fans should pack the house for this primetime divisional game in December.