Tennessee football ended its spring regimen over the weekend, and while the Vols prepared for what is shaping up to be an interesting season, their opponents did as well. EDITOR'S NOTE: The final five opponents will be featured later this week.
Tennessee football ended its spring regimen over the weekend, and while the Vols prepared for what is shaping up to be an interesting season, their opponents did as well.
From Tuscaloosa, Alabama, all the way to Austin, Texas, Tennessee’s 2026 opponents geared up for another competitive season in the Southeastern Conference.
Here’s how a few of Tennessee’s opponents next season fared in early spring action:
Texas
Scheduled as Tennessee’s first conference opponent of the 2026 season, the Longhorns and Vols are set for a Week 4 matchup inside Neyland Stadium on Sept. 26.
The Longhorns enter 2026 with high expectations, as ESPN’s early Spring Top 25 has Texas ranked No. 5 nationally. Junior quarterback Arch Manning returns as the unquestioned starter and centerpiece of the offense after establishing himself as one of the SEC’s most consistent passers.
Manning will have a retooled receiving corps around him, with Texas adding transfer wide receivers Cam Coleman and Sterling Berkhalter while still returning five-star talent Ryan Wingo. Head coach Steve Sarkisian praised Wingo’s production and growth, pointing to his breakout 850-yard season and expanded role in the offense.
“I feel like we’ve forgotten about Ryan Wingo,” Sarkisian said. “This guy was a second-team All-SEC receiver and had over 850 yards last year.”
Up front, offensive tackle Trevor Goosby returns as a key piece of protection for Manning, and his development will be critical to sustaining Texas’ offensive efficiency in SEC play.
Defensively, Texas returns multiple contributors in the front seven, but the secondary remains a question after NFL departures. Spring evaluations suggest the Longhorns have talent, but consistency in coverage will determine whether they can maintain top-five form against elite passing attacks.
Overall, Texas enters the season with one of the highest offensive ceilings in the country; however, its championship aspirations will depend heavily on the stability of the offensive line and the development of the defensive backfield.
Auburn
The following week, Tennessee remains at home for a matchup against Auburn, led by former Vols offensive coordinator Alex Golesh, who returns to Knoxville as a head coach after previously serving on Josh Heupel’s staff from 2021-22.
Golesh brings with him transfer quarterback Byrum Brown, who joins Auburn after a highly productive season at USF, where Golesh was head coach. Brown’s dual-threat ability gives the Tigers a dynamic offensive foundation, and he is expected to immediately take over the starting role. Running back Jeremiah Cobb also returns after rushing for 969 yards last season, giving Auburn a reliable ground game.
However, Auburn’s biggest concern lies with the offensive line, where all five starters must be replaced. That unit’s development will determine whether Brown can operate effectively in his first SEC season as a full-time starter.
Defensively, Auburn enters spring with major turnover, returning only two starters from last season’s unit. Linebacker Xavier Atkins is the most notable returning piece after recording nine sacks a year ago, but the Tigers will rely heavily on inexperienced players and transfers to fill out the depth chart.
With roster turnover across both lines of scrimmage, Auburn’s ceiling will largely depend on how quickly its new personnel adapts to SEC speed and physicality. The talent is present, but the consistency remains unproven.
Arkansas
Tennessee’s first SEC road test of the 2026 season takes the Vols to Fayetteville to face an Arkansas team still searching for identity under new leadership and a reshaped roster.
The Razorbacks are in the midst of a quarterback competition between KJ Jackson and AJ Hill, with Jackson currently viewed as the slight favorite entering fall camp. First-year head coach Ryan Silverfield has emphasized competition at the position, with neither quarterback fully separating during spring practices.
“I thought they both executed at a high level,” Silverfield said. “I can’t sit here and say one really outperformed the other.”
Arkansas returns just 26 players from last season, making roster cohesion one of the biggest challenges heading into the 2026 season. Despite that, the Razorbacks did bring in a strong transfer class ranked No. 7 nationally, giving the coaching staff hope for immediate improvement.
The running back room, led by Braylen Russell and Sutton Smith, is expected to be a strength if the offensive line can create consistency in the run game. However, the passing attack remains a question mark as the quarterbacks adjust to a new system and limited returning experience at receiver.
Defensively, Arkansas is still in a rebuilding phase, with spring practices focused on installing fundamentals and improving tackling efficiency after a difficult previous season. While progress has been uneven, Silverfield’s staff has prioritized physicality and discipline.
For Arkansas, 2026 appears to be more of a developmental year than a breakthrough season, but there is optimism that foundational pieces are beginning to take shape.
Alabama
One of the most anticipated matchups of Tennessee’s season comes in mid-October when the Vols host Alabama in Neyland Stadium in a rivalry game that has delivered high drama in recent years.
The Crimson Tide entered the 2026 season with a quarterback battle between sophomore Keelon Russell and veteran backup Austin Mack. Russell has shown early flashes in spring action, including limited turnover play and strong mobility, but the competition remains unresolved.
At wide receiver, Alabama returns Ryan Williams, who is expected to play a major role in the passing attack after an up-and-down sophomore campaign. His ability to re-emerge as a consistent playmaker will be key to stabilizing the offense.
However, the Tide’s offensive line remains a concern, particularly in pass protection, where inconsistency in spring scrimmages raised questions about overall cohesion. The running game has also struggled to find rhythm during early evaluations, putting additional pressure on the quarterback room.
Defensively, Alabama is undergoing a transition period with younger players stepping into larger roles across the secondary and linebacker units. While the talent level remains high, communication and consistency have been inconsistent through spring drills.
With a new quarterback potentially leading the offense and several key positions still unsettled, Alabama enters 2026 with as much upside as uncertainty. The talent is undeniable, but early-season execution will determine whether the Tide remains a national contender or experiences growing pains in a transitional year.
"I would just like to see us all coming together and being physical, opening up big gaps," offensive lineman Michael Carroll said. "We're just going to continue to build on what we have done."