Texas enters SEC play 3–0, but the trip to Tennessee will test the Longhorns in three critical areas: stopping the run, getting Arch Manning and the passing game back on track, and handling protection and discipline in Neyland.
Texas enters SEC play undefeated and ranked No. 1. Tennessee is 3–0. Saturday in Neyland will tell us much more about both teams — and especially about the Texas offense.
Texas has gotten through the first three games of the season exactly where it wanted to be in the standings.
3–0.
No. 1 in the country.
A win over Ohio State already on the résumé.
But the Longhorns will enter Saturday’s SEC opener at Tennessee with considerably more to prove than their record suggests.
The 30–6 victory over UTSA was comfortable on the scoreboard and dominant defensively. Texas held the Roadrunners to just 142 total yards, 72 rushing yards and nine first downs while possessing the football for nearly 37 minutes. Texas game center
Offensively, however, it left questions.
Arch Manning completed 17 of 33 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns. Texas ran for 228 yards, but its passing game never consistently produced the kind of explosive offense expected from a team with this much skill-position talent. Texas Athletics recap
Saturday provides a very different test.
No. 1 Texas travels to Knoxville to face No. 14/13 Tennessee at 11 a.m. CT on ABC. Both teams are 3–0, College GameDay will be in Knoxville, and this will be the first regular-season meeting between Texas and Tennessee. Their previous three meetings all came in the Cotton Bowl, most recently in 1969. Texas 2026 schedule
1. Texas’ Defensive Front vs. Tennessee’s Run Game
If Texas wants to control Saturday’s game, it starts here.
Tennessee has shown a commitment to running the football through its first three games, and the Vols are coming off a performance in which they rushed for 268 yards against Kennesaw State.
Sophomore Daune Morris led Tennessee with 116 yards on only 14 carries in that game, while freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon added another 47 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Four different Tennessee players scored rushing touchdowns. Tennessee Athletics recap
Continue reading with a free BOA account
You’ve reached the member portion of this article. Create a free account or log in, and BOA will bring you straight back here to finish reading.
Free · No credit card · Keeps your BOA saves across devices
Texas starts with a 59.8% BOA win probability against Tennessee. These three game conditions create some of the biggest swings in the matchup.
Texas starts at 59.8% against Tennessee. BOA’s Win Path Builder identifies three conditions that move that probability by double digits.
Texas exits non-conference play 3-0 and No. 1 after wins over Texas State, Ohio State and UTSA. Here’s what the first three games revealed before SEC play.