Tennessee is staring at a tough assignment this Saturday, and Josh Heupel knows exactly why.
The Vols are set to meet the top-ranked team in college football in Texas, a group that claimed the No. 1 spot after a stunning comeback against previously top-ranked Ohio State in Week 2. Tennessee, meanwhile, is trying to flip the script and walk away with a season-defining win of its own.
Texas was on the ropes entering the fourth quarter before ripping off an improbable 21-point rally to win the game and seize the top ranking. Arch Manning was a major force in that turnaround, delivering a string of big plays that helped drag the Longhorns back into control. That kind of performance is exactly why Tennessee faces such a difficult challenge on Saturday afternoon.
Heupel had plenty of respect for what Manning showed against Ohio State.
“Smart. Got really good command and control of what’s going on.
Go back to the Ohio State game, his ability and his team’s ability to be resilient, to keep playing the next play. To be in a situation like that and be able to fight back, it tells you about their competitive makeup,” Heupel said.
Those are strong words, and they reflect the reality Tennessee is walking into. If the Vols want any shot at pulling the upset, the defense will have to deliver its best football so far this season.
That starts up front. Tennessee’s defensive line has to create pressure and make Manning uncomfortable, because if he gets a clean pocket, he can carve up the secondary. Let him settle in, and it could turn into a long night for the orange and white.
In Other News...
College GameDay Guest Picker For Tennessee Texas Could Spark Vols Debate
ESPNs College GameDay is headed to Knoxville for Tennessees showdown with Texas on Sept. 26, and the familiar guessing game is already underway around who will handle the celebrity guest picker role. When the show comes to a host campus, it usually leans into local flavor, and Tennessee has no shortage of recognizable names to choose from after years of memorable selections that mixed sports, music and comedy.
Rick Barnes, Bianca Belair, Candace Parker and Kenny Chesney are among the names being floated, which gives the Vols plenty to debate before the cameras ever arrive. The decision will matter less for the picks than for the vibe, since GameDay guest spots tend to become part of the weekends identity, especially when a major SEC matchup brings the kind of attention Knoxville is about to get. [Read more 🡒]
Former Vol Kaleb Beasley Is Creating An Uncomfortable Tennessee Question
Kaleb Beasleys move from Tennessee to Louisville has already turned into one of those transfer stories that lingers a little longer for Vols fans. The Nashville product was once viewed as a highly rated local recruit, and after spending time as a backup safety in Knoxville, he has started to find a bigger stage elsewhere. His recent showing in Louisvilles win over SMU made sure the attention followed him, because he was all over the field and came away with a performance that drew national and conference recognition.
For Tennessee, the uncomfortable part is simple: Beasley is suddenly looking like the kind of defensive back the Vols could have used. He led Louisville in tackles and picked off two passes in that game, then added the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week and ACC Defensive Back of the Week honors to the resume. When a former in-state recruit starts stacking that kind of production after leaving town, it naturally invites a second look at how his path unfolded and what it means for the roster Tennessee is trying to build now. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Just Added More Emotion To Tennessee Vs Texas
Rick Barnes added a little more emotion to an already charged matchup by leaning into the history on both sides before Tennessee meets Texas. The Volunteers coach spent 17 years running the Longhorns program, so his perspective on this one comes with a built-in layer of familiarity, and he made clear he still carries good memories from that time while also showing appreciation for the athletic directors at both schools.
Barnes, though, left no doubt where his focus sits now. Ahead of the game, he spoke as a coach invested in Tennessee and its basketball program, which gives this meeting a little extra edge beyond the usual nonconference intrigue. For Tennessee fans, it is another reminder that this game is more than a reunion for Barnes, even if the details of that Texas connection still linger in the background. [Read more 🡒]