No. 1 Texas steps into Neyland Stadium on Saturday for the first time in program history, carrying a 3-0 record, the nation’s top ranking and the weight of an SEC opener that feels considerably bigger than late September. The Longhorns have earned their standing through three weeks, including an early statement against Ohio State, but Knoxville presents a different kind of test: a noon kickoff in one of college football’s loudest settings against a ranked opponent with an unbeaten record of its own. Texas leads the all-time series 2-1, though this will be only the fourth meeting and the first since the 1969 Cotton Bowl—a 36-13 Longhorns victory. In fact, each of the previous three matchups was played in Dallas on New Year’s Day, making Saturday’s trip to Tennessee a true first for this old but rarely played series.
For Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns, the storyline is whether a team that has looked the part of a national title contender can handle its first road test and begin SEC play with a win in hostile territory. Tennessee, also 3-0, has spent September building momentum behind victories over Furman, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State, but the Volunteers now get their first chance to measure themselves against a top-tier opponent—and to defend Neyland Stadium with a potential signature win within reach. With Texas seeking to validate its No. 1 ranking and Tennessee aiming to turn its home field into the setting for an early-season upset, the HornSports staff makes its predictions for one of the weekend’s marquee games.
Predictions
Jameson McCausland (3-0)
7 of the next 9 games for Texas will be against opponents that are currently ranked, and that starts Saturday in Knoxville.
Tennessee hasn’t been tested through 3 games, but Josh Heupel always has good offenses and new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is a familiar name for Texas fans.
Will Muschamp going up against a freshman QB feels like it might be the difference in this game, but I fully expect Tennessee to be in this game for all 60 minutes.
Score Prediction: Texas 28, Tennessee 24
Devon Messinger (3-0)
This Saturday, the Longhorns travel to Rocky Top in Knoxville, TN, for the first time in program history. The “Battle of UT” will be an interesting one, considering Texas’ up-and-down play and Tennessee’s lack of big-game battles so far this season.
The Volunteers’ top opponent so far has been a 1-2 Georgia Tech team. Meanwhile, the Longhorns are two weeks removed from a win over the then-top-ranked Ohio State Buckeyes. Of course, looks can be deceiving, even from the Longhorns’ current position at the top of the polls, as last weekend’s win over UTSA showed that the on-field product is still far from a well-oiled machine.
With that said, expect a fun game in Knoxville on Saturday. A fun storyline will be Arch Manning traveling to the college town of his uncle Peyton, but the Longhorns will need more than fun storylines against the Vols. If Arch can stay out of harm’s way and complete closer to 60% of his passes than 50% (ideally for Sarkisian and the Texas offense, Arch would be hovering around 65%), the team will be in a solid position to hold onto their namesake.
Score Prediction: Texas 34, Tennessee 24
Aaron Carrara (3-0)
Texas has the more complete résumé and enough balance on both sides of the ball to leave Knoxville with a win, but this shapes up as its most demanding test of the young season. Tennessee will feed off the Neyland Stadium crowd early, lean on its ground game and make the Longhorns prove they can execute in a hostile SEC environment. Expect the Volunteers to keep the game within one possession into the second half, but Texas’ depth, defensive front, and ability to generate timely plays should make the difference late. Despite all the noise about Arch Manning, the junior gets the job done in Knoxville and leads Texas to another big win over a ranked opponent.
Score Prediction: Texas 31, Tennessee 24
Marc Henry (3-0)
Texas heads to Rocky Top for an SEC showdown between two 3-0 teams. In one of the toughest places to play, the Longhorns cannot afford another slow offensive start. Arch Manning needs to be efficient, the offensive line must establish the run early, and Texas has to get the ball to Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman.
Defensively, Texas faces a Josh Heupel offense averaging more than six yards per play. The Longhorns need to control the line of scrimmage, limit big plays and create early turnovers.
Score Prediction: Texas 17, Tennessee 10
Mitch Lovell (3-0)
This will be a challenging game for Texas as they open SEC play. Josh Heupel’s offense will challenge the Texas defense early and often. The Longhorns escape with a second-half rally behind Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown. This will not be a pretty win, but it will serve as a better start than last year’s SEC opener against Florida.
Score Prediction: Texas 24, Tennessee 17
Kendrick Johnson (3-0)
Although they didn’t play well last week, I feel the Longhorns have another gear that most teams can’t match to complement their tremendous talent and experience to go into Neyland Stadium and do well. Texas’ simply must be consistent on both sides of the ball and not beat themselves with dumb turnovers and penalties.
Expect Arch Manning to show up and produce his most consistent performance of the year at the same spot his uncle Peyton called home for 4 seasons. Texas’ star receiver duo of Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo must show up and live up to the hype after their disastrous performance against Ohio State two weeks ago,
When the final whistle is blown, I have Texas winning a hard-fought tough SEC opening game against Tennessee 24-17 to remain undefeated and ranked number one in the country.
Score Prediction: Texas 24, Tennessee 17
