Tennessee fans finally have a real reason to clear Thursday night on the calendar, even before the Volunteers take the field themselves. With the opener still a few days away, there are three games worth tracking, and one sits well above the rest.
The must-watch matchup is Colorado against Georgia Tech. Tennessee will see the Yellow Jackets in Week 2, when the Vols travel to Atlanta, Georgia, so this is a direct scouting opportunity.
For Tennessee fans, it’s a chance to get an early look at what Georgia Tech brings to the table and start sizing up one of the better games on the Vols’ schedule. It also carries another layer of interest because Colorado features multiple former Vols, including Boo Carter, who is set to appear in his first game with Colorado since announcing his transfer portal decision.
The second game on the list is Kennesaw State against its Thursday opponent, a matchup Tennessee fans should have on in the background. The Vols are set to face the Owls in the third week of the season, and while Tennessee should be favored on paper, Kennesaw State is coming off a historic season.
The Owls were one of the best G5 teams a year ago and have a real chance to repeat that success in 2026. There’s also a familiar face on their sideline: former Tennessee running back coach Jerry Mack.
Of the three games, this is the one fans probably need the least, but it still offers value.
Then there’s the SEC game of the day, Arkansas Pine-Bluff against Missouri. Tennessee won’t play the Tigers this season, but it’s still a useful chance to watch SEC football back on the screen. That alone makes it worth a look for Vols fans, even if it doesn’t carry the same level of importance as the Georgia Tech and Colorado matchup.
SEC football is back, and Thursday gives Tennessee fans a little preview of what’s ahead.
In Other News...
Former Tennessee Transfers Are Turning Up In Some Awkward Places
When Tennessee turned over so much of its roster through the portal, the next step was always going to be seeing where all those former Volunteers landed. A sizable chunk stayed in the Power Four, and a notable number remained in the SEC, which is part of what makes the offseason so oddly familiar around Knoxville. The programs departures are scattered across the country now, and for Tennessee fans, the connections do not disappear just because the jerseys changed.
Peyton Lewis added another layer to that familiar feeling by showing up in a Week Zero game for Virginia, a reminder that the portal rarely keeps old ties at a distance for long. For Tennessee, the broader picture is bigger than any single move, with former players popping up in places that can feel a little awkward when the new season starts and old opponents suddenly include faces that once wore orange. [Read more 🡒]
Rick Barnes Has A Huge Recruiting Opportunity This Weekend
Tennessee is turning a football weekend into a full-court recruiting showcase, with the mens basketball staff set to host several elite prospects on official visits while the Vols have the campus spotlight. Among the visitors are five-star point guard Cayden Daughtry and four-star point guard Micah Gordon from the 2027 class, along with five-star forward Bentley Lusakueno from the 2028 class, giving Rick Barnes and his staff a chance to put the program in front of some of the nations most intriguing young talents.
The timing matters because these trips line up with football game weekends, when Knoxville is at its liveliest and the athletic department can lean into the atmosphere. Tennessee is not the only program trying to make an impression, but the Vols will also have the Lady Vols welcoming five-star point guard Cece Dennis, adding another notable recruiting stop to what could be a busy and important stretch for the school across both programs. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Is Already Chasing A Massive Lineman For Its Future
Tennessee is already looking well down the road in its offensive line recruiting, and the latest name on the board is Rex George-Taylor, a 2028 prospect from Darlington, Ga. The Volunteers extended a scholarship offer to the towering junior, who checks in at 6-foot-7 and 315 pounds, adding him to a growing early list that also includes offers from Cincinnati, Mississippi State and Connecticut.
George-Taylors reaction to the Tennessee offer was part of the story, but the bigger takeaway for Vols fans is how aggressively the staff is approaching future line prospects this far out. Recruiting for players still years away from signing day is all about getting in early and staying present, and Tennessee appears to have done just that, with more developments expected as his recruitment continues to build. [Read more 🡒]