Tennessee football is gearing up for a pivotal early-season road test on Sept. 12, when the Vols head to Atlanta to take on Georgia Tech in Week 2 of the 2026 schedule. That matchup comes just a week after Tennessee opens its season at home against Furman, an FCS opponent-a game that, on paper, should give the Vols an opportunity to fine-tune their operation before stepping into a more competitive environment.
For Georgia Tech, the season starts with a high-profile home game against Colorado. That opener was originally slated for Saturday, but it’s now been bumped up to Thursday, Sept.
- That scheduling tweak may seem minor, but it gives the Yellow Jackets two extra days to recover and prep for Tennessee.
In a sport where every hour of rest and film study counts, that’s a small but real edge.
But Tennessee isn’t exactly at a disadvantage here. Opening against Furman gives the Vols a softer landing to start the season, and that means head coach Josh Heupel and his staff can afford to start installing Georgia Tech-specific looks well in advance. It also opens the door for Tennessee to manage reps smartly-if things go according to plan, starters could see limited action in Week 1, preserving their legs and limiting risk ahead of the trip to Atlanta.
Of course, all of that is secondary to the biggest storyline hovering over Tennessee’s offseason: the quarterback situation. Right now, the Vols are staring down a three-way competition that could stretch into fall camp.
Redshirt freshman George MacIntyre, true freshman Faizon Brandon, and Colorado transfer Ryan Staub are all in the mix. Each brings a unique skill set to the table-MacIntyre with his size and arm talent, Brandon as a dynamic athlete with upside, and Staub as a seasoned presence with Power Five experience.
But there’s a potential wild card in play: Joey Aguilar. The veteran signal-caller, who led Tennessee’s offense in 2025, is awaiting a ruling on his eligibility appeal.
Aguilar appeared before a judge last Friday in hopes of securing an additional year, but no decision was made from the bench. A ruling is expected sometime this week.
If Aguilar is granted that extra year, he’d almost certainly slide back into the starting role. And based on his performance last season, that wouldn’t be a bad thing for the Vols.
Aguilar threw for an SEC-best 3,565 yards, along with 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, guiding Tennessee to an 8-5 record (4-4 in conference play). While the team had its ups and downs, the offense showed signs of returning to form under his leadership-an encouraging development after a season of transition.
So, while Georgia Tech may get a couple extra days to prep, Tennessee has its own advantages, starting with a manageable opener and a potentially returning QB who already knows the system inside and out. September 12 might feel a long way off, but make no mistake-both programs are already circling that date.
And with so much still to be decided under center for the Vols, this early-season clash is shaping up to be more than just a measuring stick. It could be a tone-setter for the entire 2026 campaign.