Tennessee’s offense will grab plenty of attention heading into the matchup with No. 1 Texas, but the Vols’ path to an upset runs through the other side of the ball. If Tennessee is going to shake up the top team in the country at Neyland Stadium, the defense has to be the group that changes the game.
That starts with creating chaos for Arch Manning. Tennessee’s new-look defense has shown enough through its 3-0 start to suggest it can make noise, but this is a different level of test. Jim Knowles will have to get the most out of his unit, and a few key defenders look positioned to make that happen.
Arion Carter sits at the top of that list. The linebacker has emerged as the leader of the defense after missing the opener because of what the source described as an “insane call from the NCAA.”
Since returning, he has been excellent in wins over Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State. Through two games, Carter has piled up 12 solo tackles and a sack, and Tennessee will need that kind of production again.
His job will be to attack the box, keep Hollywood Smothers, Raleek Brown and the rest from piling up extra yards, and help lift the players around him.
Up front, Xavier Gilliam has already flashed the kind of disruption Tennessee needs. The Penn State transfer opened the season against Furman with a breakout performance: three sacks and a forced fumble.
The last two games have been quieter, with six total tackles and no sacks, and that has to change against Texas. At 6-foot-2 and 305 pounds, Gilliam needs to be in Manning’s face all night if Tennessee wants to make things uncomfortable.
Jordan Norman has been just as important, even if he hasn’t drawn nearly as much attention. The Tulane transfer has put together a steady first three games in 2026, with two sacks and seven total tackles.
That puts him third on the team in sacks, and defensive line coach Rodney Garner has big expectations for him moving forward. Norman and Gilliam have also helped cover for the unexpected loss of Chaz Coleman, and both will have to be sharp against a Texas offensive line that brings plenty to the table.
Knowles deserves a mention too. Tennessee’s first-year defensive coordinator has the unit off to a strong start, but Week 4 will reveal a lot more about how far along the defense really is.
The adjustment Tennessee fans want to see is obvious after last season’s heartbreaking loss to Georgia in 2025, when Tim Banks’ defense couldn’t get enough stops at Neyland. This time, Knowles will need to make the right in-game calls if Tennessee wants to avoid a repeat.
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 🡒]