Does the Tennessee football team have a huge upset inside it?
This is a program-defining game for Tennessee.
Alabama will be fun on the third Saturday of October, but this is a game fans will remember.
Getting a shot at the No. 1 team in the country at High Noon, with the whole college football world watching, is an opportunity the Volunteers don’t have every year.
A win over Texas today can be pivotal for the rest of Tennessee’s season.
The Longhorns’ 5.5-point spread over the Vols is there because they’re a proven entity. A 24-23 win over then-No. 1 Ohio State, which included a 21-point fourth quarter comeback, is a body of work that speaks loudly.
Until some team comes along and proves it deserves the respect, you’ve gotta give the edge to Texas.
Even a loss is not going to be an exercise in futility.
Immersing freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon into such an electric, high-stakes atmosphere is going to pay off when the cigars come out against Alabama; and when Lane Kiffin shows up with LSU in November.
This is one of the harsh lessons of Southeastern Conference football that have to be experienced. There’s no way to prepare for them. It’s just a matter of blocking out everything from your mind and doing what you’ve been taught to do.
Sounds easy. But ask every guy who steps on the field today and he’ll tell you the energy is palpable.
If Tennessee wants to have any chance of pulling off the upset, DeSean Bishop, Javin Gordon and Daune Morris will have to be productive running the football, putting up at least 250 yards. The offensive line has to be better than it’s been the last three weeks. And… the Tennessee secondary has to step up and battle some really good receivers.
A push from Tennessee’s front seven, keeping quarterback Arch Manning uncomfortable, could help the secondary.
I can see Tennessee keeping it close, but Texas is going to pull it out.
Texas 31, Tennessee 28
CALEB JARREAU: Texas 27, Tennessee 24
I don't see UT pulling off the upset, but the performance on the field will give hope for the future under Faizon Brandon, Jim Knowles and company.
TREVOR MCGEE: Texas 27, Tennessee 21
Tennessee hasn't been tested the way the No. 1 team in the country will test it Saturday. Texas doesn't allow explosive plays, and the Vols live off of them — a recipe for disaster in the first real test of the season. Faizon Brandon will toss his first interception, and Arch Manning will lead Texas to a 4-0 start.
THEO COLLI: Texas 30 Tennessee 21
I like to think this will be a close game, but something is telling me that Arch Manning and company are just ready for this contest much more than the Vols are going to be. The defense won’t be able to stop the Longhorns attack and Faizon Brandon may need some more time before he can snag a big upset-win like this one.
JACK GLENNON: Texas 28, Tennessee 24
If the Volunteers can stick to the run without Texas stalling out their offense, their chances skyrocket. The Longhorns’ run defense, however, is a poor matchup for Tennessee. The Volunteers will keep it close, but will likely never lead.
