The University of Tennessee's football program unveiled its 2006 and 2007 football schedules Monday, and some unfamiliar opponents will present themselves against the Volunteers.

In 2006, Tennessee will commence the season with four consecutive home games. The Volunteers will host rising program California on Sept. 2, and follow up the next week with a battle against Air Force.

The Vols haven't faced a service academy team since 1986, a 25-21 loss to Army. The last time Tennessee and Air Force faced off was in the 1971 Sugar Bowl, a 34-13 Tennessee win.

"In particular, we're excited about our series against a challenging California program and the newly scheduled contest against Air Force," athletic director Mike Hamilton said. "A number of our players hail from California. It's a great scene for our fans to visit, and it fits our strategy of scheduling quality intersectional opponents who bring national attention to our program.

"The game against an always well coached Air Force team will be the first in a number of years versus a service academy and one that our fans can get excited about as well."

There will be no week off after the Sept. 9 Air Force game as the Florida Gators come to Knoxville. Tennessee will then play host to Marshall (Sept. 23) before heading to Memphis (Sept.30) for the first time since the 2000 season.

Oct. 7, Tennessee will travel to Athens, Ga. to face the Bulldogs, then take a week off before hosting Alabama. The Vols finish out the month at South Carolina.

Tennessee's stellar record in the month of November may be in jeopardy as it faces LSU (Nov. 4) and Arkansas (Nov. 11). Vanderbilt and Kentucky occupy Tennessee's last two games.

In 2007, Tennessee will open its season (Sept. 1) on the West Coast for the fourth time as they face California again. The last time Tennessee opened out West came in 1994, a UCLA 25-23 win in which Peyton Manning made his college debut.

Tennessee will head back to Knoxville for a Sept. 8 game against Southern Miss, but then the Vols will head to Gainesville, Fla. for a Sept. 15 showdown.

Another ascending program Northern Illinois will take on the Vols the week after the Florida contest. Central Florida will come calling after Northern Illinois.

October features home games against Georgia and South Carolina and road games at Mississippi State and Alabama.

Arkansas, Vanderbilt and Kentucky are Tennessee's three November opponents.