Arch Manning and the Texas Longhorns are set to face off against Faizon Brandon and the Tennessee Volunteers on Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. It's a high-profile showdown between two SEC powerhouses and top-10 teams, in what could be a critical game down the stretch as both teams fight for spots in the College Football Playoff. The Longhorns enter as 4.5-point road favorites and are the top-seeded team in the country after their dramatic win over Ohio State two weeks ago.
But the Vols can't be slept on, coming in at 3-0 and playing at home in one of the loudest stadiums in college football. While Texas may be the favorite, Steve Spurrier, the former Hall of Fame coach and Florida Gators icon, is rolling with Tennessee. "I think Tennessee is ready to pull the upset over Texas," Spurrier told On3's Chris Low.
"The Vols can beat them in Knoxville. Hell, we beat them down here last year, and we went 4-8. How about that?" More news: Arkansas AD Leaves No Doubt on HC Ryan Silverfield After Blowout Loss More news: Lane Kiffin’s Return to Oxford Among Most-Watched Games in 10 Years Texas is still riding high off its upset over the Buckeyes, but all three of its wins this season have come at home.
This marks the Longhorns' first road contest of the season, and it's in one of the most brutal road environments in the sport. Manning has also never played at Tennessee before. In fact, with Texas only recently joining the SEC in 2024, this game marks the first meeting between Texas and Tennessee as conference opponents, and the first time they've faced each other since 1969.
The Vols, for their part, haven't really been challenged yet. They won their first three games handily, beating Furman, Georgia Tech, and Kennesaw State, all by double digits. Brandon, a true freshman quarterback and one of the top-rated prospects in the 2026 class, has already looked like a star in the making.
But if the Longhorns are truly the championship contenders Steve Sarkisian has built them up to be, they need to show it. Whoever comes out on top Saturday, the result will carry massive implications for both teams as the season rolls on. More news: Oregon’s Dante Moore Loses Key Weapon Ahead of Big USC Clash
Extract — continue reading at the source.
