Kenny Chesney brought a little Knoxville energy to ESPN’s First Take on Thursday morning, and the conversation quickly turned to the Tennessee-Texas game that has Vol fans talking.
Chesney, a country musician and Knoxville native, was a featured guest on the show while promoting his new tour. Early in his seven-minute segment, host Shae Cornette steered things toward Tennessee football, including the Sept. 26 matchup with Texas at Neyland Stadium.
“I feel pretty good,” Chesney said when asked about the game. “Knoxville is going to be on fire that day.
I don’t know what time kickoff is. I’m hoping it’s a night game.
I’m not sure.”
Cornette then pointed out that the game is currently scheduled for Noon ET, and that news clearly surprised Stephen A. Smith. The ESPN commentator said he believes the kickoff could still be altered.
“I think they’ll change it,” Smith said. “I think they might change it.
I think they might flex it. I’m serious.
They might change it.”
The noon start has already become a sore spot for Tennessee fans, who expected a bigger stage for what could be the program’s biggest game of the season. Neyland Stadium’s atmosphere is part of the draw, and plenty of Vol supporters wanted that environment to matter as much as possible.
The game will air on ABC, though that network is also carrying Texas A&M at LSU in the 7:30 p.m. window that night.
No matter when kickoff lands, Tennessee will at least get the advantage of Checker Neyland. The school saves that look for its biggest home game each year, and this one fits the bill. It’s Arch Manning’s return to Neyland Stadium as Texas’ quarterback, the first SEC meeting between the programs, and it comes with Texas now sitting at No. 1 after beating Ohio State last weekend.
Tennessee opened as a 7-point underdog at DraftKings, but the number has already shifted. By Thursday afternoon, the Vols were down to a 4.5-point underdog.
Both teams also have manageable games this weekend, which sets up a huge Top 15 showdown in Knoxville next week.
In Other News...
Tennessee's Loaded Offense Could Have One More Freshman Problem Soon
Tennessees offense already has the look of a unit built to stay dangerous for a while, but ESPN thinks the Vols may not be done adding playmakers to the picture. The latest name to watch is five-star running back recruit David Gabriel-Georges, who checks in at No. 13 overall in the SC Next ESPN 300 and arrives with the kind of power, balance and explosiveness that can make a freshman hard to keep off the field.
For Tennessee, the appeal goes beyond simply landing another elite recruit. Gabriel-Georges has the traits to contribute early and eventually grow into a featured role, which matters for an offense that could be looking ahead to a post-2026 backfield if DeSean Bishop moves on to the NFL. Even in a loaded room, the Vols have a chance to turn a highly rated newcomer into the next major piece of the attack. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Fans Have One Reason To Expect A Stress-Free Saturday
Knox News took a different route in previewing Tennessees upcoming game against Kennesaw State, running 100 simulations of the matchup on EA Sports College Football 27. The results pointed to what Vols fans probably hope to see on a fall Saturday: Tennessee controlling the game early and often, with the model projecting an average score around 51-17 and plenty of room for the offense to settle in.
The simulations leaned heavily toward a comfortable finish for Tennessee, which fits the broader sense that this is a game the Vols should handle without much drama. There were statistical trends worth watching in the breakdown, along with reporter notes on how the matchup could play out, but the larger takeaway was hard to miss: if the real game follows the video-game script, Tennessee should spend most of the afternoon in command. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessees New Adidas Look Is Already Sparking A Vols Identity Debate
Tennessees next home game will look familiar on the field, with the Vols sticking to their traditional home uniform combination of white helmets, orange jerseys and white pants against Kennesaw State. The decision lands in the middle of a broader uniform reset, after the program unveiled new Adidas home looks earlier this year with design touches meant to nod to Tennessee footballs history and traditions.
Josh Heupel has already framed the partnership as a positive step for the program, pointing to what it could mean for current players and the ones coming after them. Still, the return to the classic home setup serves as a reminder that even with a new apparel deal in place, Tennessees identity remains closely tied to the look generations of fans know best. [Read more 🡒]