Texas center Connor Robertson didn’t exactly come to Knoxville with a grudge.
On Monday, the Longhorns got an earful of “Rocky Top” during practice as they started preparing for Saturday’s trip to No. 14 Tennessee, and Robertson’s reaction was about as calm as it gets.
“It’s a pretty good song. I like it,” Robertson said to reporters on Monday.
That’s a pretty easy-going response from a player who knows Texas will be walking into a loud one at Neyland Stadium. The No. 1 Longhorns and the Volunteers are both 3-0, and Saturday’s noon ET kickoff on ABC will also serve as the SEC opener for both teams.
Robertson brings plenty of Texas baggage in the best possible way. The senior center was born in Austin, starred at Austin Westlake in high school, and stayed close to home to play college football for the Longhorns.
He’s been steeped in Texas tradition for years. Tennessee’s version, though, was new to him - at least until “Rocky Top” started blasting through practice.
Maybe Steve Sarkisian used the song as a little wake-up call, a way to get his team ready for the environment it’s about to face. Maybe it was just a reminder of what awaits in Knoxville, with the checkerboard end zones and the noise that comes with them. Either way, Robertson didn’t bite.
No bulletin board fuel there. Just a center who heard the song, shrugged and gave it a compliment.
Texas now has to handle the real thing on Saturday if it wants to keep the No. 1 ranking and stay unbeaten.
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Tennessees Freshman QB Faces His First Real SEC Measuring Stick
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The first conference test, though, arrives in a hurry, and it comes with an awfully bright spotlight attached. ESPNs updated Total QBR rankings place Brandon sixth in the SEC with a 79.0 rating, and Tennessees opener against No. 1 Texas will immediately show how that early success translates against a defense and opponent built for the biggest stage. Arch Manning has been sharp for the Longhorns, and for Brandon, this is the kind of measuring stick that can say a lot without answering everything. [Read more 🡒]