University of Memphis, Vanderbilt discussing possible football series » The Commercial Appeal on Astini News

University of Memphis athletic director R.C. Johnson said the football program's lack of Southeastern Conference teams on future schedules could change soon.

Johnson, who retires in June, has entered into discussions with Vanderbilt about possibly playing the Commodores as early as 2013. No SEC teams are on the U of M schedule this fall for the first time since 1948. SEC teams also are absent from the 2013 and 2014 schedules.

While the U of M's non-conference schedule is full for 2013 with games against Duke, Middle Tennessee, Louisville and Arkansas State, Johnson said there is the possibility one of those teams might opt out, creating an opening for Vanderbilt.

``We are still trying to shuffle things,'' Johnson said. ``We always try to accommodate but moving people (off the schedule or placing them on a future schedule), that's hard to do.''

Johnson said he spoke with Vanderbilt's vice chancellor for university affairs and athletics David Williams ``around Christmas.''

``We had a nice visit,'' Johnson said. ``We talked about how we both wanted to play. We'll continue to have those conversations.''

The U of M's future schedules are tentatively set through 2016 with no SEC opponents appearing until 2015 when league newcomer Missouri plays Memphis at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Memphis returns the game in 2016.

Johnson said Ole Miss could return to the U of M schedule in 2016 and 2017, joining another SEC program -- Tennessee -- in 2017. The U of M's most attractive non-conference schedules in years are set for 2015 (Miami, Louisville, Missouri, Kansas) and 2016 (Louisville, Missouri, Ole Miss, Kansas).

``Kansas and Ole Miss are verbal (agreements),'' Johnson said.

Ole Miss and Memphis discontinued their series after the 2009 game

He added his philosophy on non-conference scheduling remains the same, a mix of ``two significant name teams and two regional name teams.''