University of Tennessee Athletics
#14/13 Vols Ready to Tackle SEC Opener vs. Top-Ranked Texas
September 21, 2026 | Football
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 14/13 Tennessee will look to start Southeastern Conference play on a high note as it welcomes No. 1/1 Texas to Neyland Stadium this Saturday at noon ET on ABC.
With a 42-9 victory over Kennesaw State last weekend, the Volunteers wrapped up their fifth consecutive year with an undefeated record in regular season non-conference games and now turn their attention to nine straight SEC contests, starting with a marquee showdown against the top-ranked Longhorns.
"Texas is obviously battle-tested, a very veteran group," head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday. "It starts with their quarterback, but they have experience up front on the offensive line, and a ton of experience on the defensive side of the football, extremely athletic."
While Saturday's contest will present the Vols' toughest challenge to date physically, being able to handle all of the attention and outside noise that comes along with big games will be just as important.
"There's more media attention or whatever on this football game. At the end of the day, it's the beginning of conference play," Heupel said. "You've got to understand the quality of the opponent that you're getting ready to play. Saturday will be electric in the stadium, but it comes down to winning each day, your preparation and practicing the right way to give yourself a chance."
Checker Neyland for SEC Opener
Saturday will feature a sold-out Checker Neyland crowd on Rocky Top. Checker Neyland showcases UT's iconic checkerboard pattern throughout Neyland Stadium, which will be sold out for the 30th straight game dating back to 2022.
"Our fans always show up in a great way," Heupel said when asked what he expects Saturday's atmosphere to be like.
"We're starting conference play. Expect them to be at their best Saturday, 12 o'clock when the ball is teed up."
Please note that section colors have swapped this season. Fans can find their color at CheckerNeyland.com
Video and a transcript of Heupel's Monday press conference can be seen below.
"Good afternoon. I want to start by just saying congratulations to our volleyball team and the success that they are having. Obviously, a big one on Friday night and hopefully our fans show up in a big way for them.
"Excited to start conference play. I know we are getting ready to go play a great opponent in Texas. Early kickoff, Checker Neyland. To our fan base, however you get ready for game time, wake up early. And whatever you need to be at your best at 12, make sure you're ready to be at your best at 12. Be a part of the football game for 60 minutes. Texas is obviously battle-tested, a very veteran group. It starts with their quarterback, but they have experience up front on the offensive line, and a ton of experience on the defensive side of the football, extremely athletic. Will be a great test."
On what he sees in Texas quarterback Arch Manning…
"Smart. He has really good command and control of what's going on. I think you can go back to the Ohio State game, his ability and his team's ability to be resilient, to keep playing the next play. To be in a situation like that and be able to fight back, tells you about their competitive makeup."
On his assessment of Tennessee's tackling in the first three games…
"There were a couple the other night that we've got to be better on fundamentally. Solid here in the first three games. Obviously, heading into conference play, in space in particular, those things will be tested. You've got to do great job with fundamentals, angles. When it's time to pull your pin, finish it and wrap it up."
On the amount of tackling in preseason camp compared to previous seasons…
"Similar amount. Probably a little bit more fundamental work on it."
On the offensive line's performance to this point…
"Getting into conference play, you're going to play extremely talented fronts – in this league, typically every week. Texas is certainly that. Great length inside. Extremely wide-hipped, strong and physical. Will knock you back if you're not playing with great pad level and playing with hands. At the end of the day, identification, combinations, playing with fundamentals. You play whatever, 70 plays in a game. It's not going to be perfect up front, but all in all it's been solid. But this will be our biggest test as far as the front seven that we're playing."
On the front seven's physicality…
"They're playing physical. There are some things that haven't been perfect, but they're playing hard."
On Texas' ability to limit explosive plays…
"Their front, the ability to apply pressure. There haven't been a lot of runs that have popped on them. Gap integrity, physical at the point of attack. But all three levels of the defense fitting things together. And then pass defense-wise, they're going to play zone principles, match principles, a lot of different pressures. All of that combined with their talent and athleticism have limited the explosives."
On his messaging to the players going into big games…
"There's more media attention or whatever on this football game. At the end of the day, it's the beginning of conference play. You've got to understand the quality of the opponent that you're getting ready to play. Saturday will be electric in the stadium, but it comes down to winning each day, your preparation and practicing the right way to give yourself a chance."
On the tight ends' performance against Kennesaw State…
"It was solid. Thought they did a good job in the run game, made some plays in the pass game. Protections were solid for the majority of the night. There were a couple things fundamentally that we want to clean up, but all in all, solid."
On what he has seen from Donovan Haslam…
"Physicality is one of his best traits. A guy that, in the middle of the training camp, was nicked up for a while. I think he's starting to play himself in better shape, and played well the other night."
On how Ty Redmond and Kayin Lee matchup against Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman…
"Those are two really talented players for Texas. Both of our guys have played in this league. They've played a good amount of football. They've seen good players. They haven't been tested the way they will be tested on Saturday afternoon, but I expect those guys to go play in a great way."
On how DeSean Bishop is feeling…
"I have not talked to him, but I think he's feeling pretty good."
On how he assesses the offensive line rotation…
"First of all, you go through this league, you're going to need them all. You guys are probably tired of me saying that, but that's the truth. I think Jesse's (Perry) done a really good job at right tackle. He's played both in his career, guard and tackle, but he's settled in and played really well here the last couple of weeks at tackle."
On Texas' offensive line…
"A group that's playing with good physicality. They're doing a really good job in their protections. So it's an experienced, really good group. Their tackles are high-level players."
On Texas' defense under Will Muschamp…
"They're three games in at this point. You kind of have a general idea of their identity in how they want to play and their personnel. Their personnel gives them a lot of freedom to do a lot of different things from pressure to coverage and rotations. So, you get into conference play, you know you're going to see something that's not on film, too. You've got to be able to adjust."
On whether there's room to implement new concepts into the offense…
"He's got really good command. He's been really decisive with the football, there's a couple of throws that he'd like to maybe have back. Just fundamentally being a little bit off, plays down the field that we've got to go make for a young quarterback too. But I like what he's done. You get into conference play, you're going to grow and evolve every week."
On how they'll continue to monitor Bishop to ensure he's at his best for Saturday…
"We'll make sure he's fully ready to go on Saturday."
On the pass rush playing well…
"Playing hard, playing with fundamentals and technique. They've done a good job in the running game, but they're certainly affecting the quarterback, as well. In some of our pressures, our twist games, they're functioning and operating at a pretty high level together collectively as a group. So, a lot of positives."
On playing well in early games…
"I think those teams have prepared in a great way, practiced in a great way, and given themselves a chance to go play the way they need to, to win a football game."
On if Texas stirs up extra emotions as a former Oklahoma quarterback…
"I think about this Saturday. That's really what I think about."
On how he's working to get Faizon ready for the biggest game of his young career…
"Prepare in a great way, invest in practice in a great way, and win the preparation, that gives you a chance to go play the way that you want to."
On the atmosphere he expects for the game…
"First of all, our fans always show up in a great way. We're starting conference play. Expect them to be at their best Saturday, 12 o'clock when the ball is teed up. It should be a great contest."
With a 42-9 victory over Kennesaw State last weekend, the Volunteers wrapped up their fifth consecutive year with an undefeated record in regular season non-conference games and now turn their attention to nine straight SEC contests, starting with a marquee showdown against the top-ranked Longhorns.
"Texas is obviously battle-tested, a very veteran group," head coach Josh Heupel said on Monday. "It starts with their quarterback, but they have experience up front on the offensive line, and a ton of experience on the defensive side of the football, extremely athletic."
While Saturday's contest will present the Vols' toughest challenge to date physically, being able to handle all of the attention and outside noise that comes along with big games will be just as important.
"There's more media attention or whatever on this football game. At the end of the day, it's the beginning of conference play," Heupel said. "You've got to understand the quality of the opponent that you're getting ready to play. Saturday will be electric in the stadium, but it comes down to winning each day, your preparation and practicing the right way to give yourself a chance."
Checker Neyland for SEC Opener
Saturday will feature a sold-out Checker Neyland crowd on Rocky Top. Checker Neyland showcases UT's iconic checkerboard pattern throughout Neyland Stadium, which will be sold out for the 30th straight game dating back to 2022.
"Our fans always show up in a great way," Heupel said when asked what he expects Saturday's atmosphere to be like.
"We're starting conference play. Expect them to be at their best Saturday, 12 o'clock when the ball is teed up."
Please note that section colors have swapped this season. Fans can find their color at CheckerNeyland.com
Video and a transcript of Heupel's Monday press conference can be seen below.
Head Coach Josh Heupel Transcript (Sept. 21, 2026)
Opening statement…"Good afternoon. I want to start by just saying congratulations to our volleyball team and the success that they are having. Obviously, a big one on Friday night and hopefully our fans show up in a big way for them.
"Excited to start conference play. I know we are getting ready to go play a great opponent in Texas. Early kickoff, Checker Neyland. To our fan base, however you get ready for game time, wake up early. And whatever you need to be at your best at 12, make sure you're ready to be at your best at 12. Be a part of the football game for 60 minutes. Texas is obviously battle-tested, a very veteran group. It starts with their quarterback, but they have experience up front on the offensive line, and a ton of experience on the defensive side of the football, extremely athletic. Will be a great test."
On what he sees in Texas quarterback Arch Manning…
"Smart. He has really good command and control of what's going on. I think you can go back to the Ohio State game, his ability and his team's ability to be resilient, to keep playing the next play. To be in a situation like that and be able to fight back, tells you about their competitive makeup."
On his assessment of Tennessee's tackling in the first three games…
"There were a couple the other night that we've got to be better on fundamentally. Solid here in the first three games. Obviously, heading into conference play, in space in particular, those things will be tested. You've got to do great job with fundamentals, angles. When it's time to pull your pin, finish it and wrap it up."
On the amount of tackling in preseason camp compared to previous seasons…
"Similar amount. Probably a little bit more fundamental work on it."
On the offensive line's performance to this point…
"Getting into conference play, you're going to play extremely talented fronts – in this league, typically every week. Texas is certainly that. Great length inside. Extremely wide-hipped, strong and physical. Will knock you back if you're not playing with great pad level and playing with hands. At the end of the day, identification, combinations, playing with fundamentals. You play whatever, 70 plays in a game. It's not going to be perfect up front, but all in all it's been solid. But this will be our biggest test as far as the front seven that we're playing."
On the front seven's physicality…
"They're playing physical. There are some things that haven't been perfect, but they're playing hard."
On Texas' ability to limit explosive plays…
"Their front, the ability to apply pressure. There haven't been a lot of runs that have popped on them. Gap integrity, physical at the point of attack. But all three levels of the defense fitting things together. And then pass defense-wise, they're going to play zone principles, match principles, a lot of different pressures. All of that combined with their talent and athleticism have limited the explosives."
On his messaging to the players going into big games…
"There's more media attention or whatever on this football game. At the end of the day, it's the beginning of conference play. You've got to understand the quality of the opponent that you're getting ready to play. Saturday will be electric in the stadium, but it comes down to winning each day, your preparation and practicing the right way to give yourself a chance."
On the tight ends' performance against Kennesaw State…
"It was solid. Thought they did a good job in the run game, made some plays in the pass game. Protections were solid for the majority of the night. There were a couple things fundamentally that we want to clean up, but all in all, solid."
On what he has seen from Donovan Haslam…
"Physicality is one of his best traits. A guy that, in the middle of the training camp, was nicked up for a while. I think he's starting to play himself in better shape, and played well the other night."
On how Ty Redmond and Kayin Lee matchup against Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman…
"Those are two really talented players for Texas. Both of our guys have played in this league. They've played a good amount of football. They've seen good players. They haven't been tested the way they will be tested on Saturday afternoon, but I expect those guys to go play in a great way."
On how DeSean Bishop is feeling…
"I have not talked to him, but I think he's feeling pretty good."
On how he assesses the offensive line rotation…
"First of all, you go through this league, you're going to need them all. You guys are probably tired of me saying that, but that's the truth. I think Jesse's (Perry) done a really good job at right tackle. He's played both in his career, guard and tackle, but he's settled in and played really well here the last couple of weeks at tackle."
On Texas' offensive line…
"A group that's playing with good physicality. They're doing a really good job in their protections. So it's an experienced, really good group. Their tackles are high-level players."
On Texas' defense under Will Muschamp…
"They're three games in at this point. You kind of have a general idea of their identity in how they want to play and their personnel. Their personnel gives them a lot of freedom to do a lot of different things from pressure to coverage and rotations. So, you get into conference play, you know you're going to see something that's not on film, too. You've got to be able to adjust."
On whether there's room to implement new concepts into the offense…
"He's got really good command. He's been really decisive with the football, there's a couple of throws that he'd like to maybe have back. Just fundamentally being a little bit off, plays down the field that we've got to go make for a young quarterback too. But I like what he's done. You get into conference play, you're going to grow and evolve every week."
On how they'll continue to monitor Bishop to ensure he's at his best for Saturday…
"We'll make sure he's fully ready to go on Saturday."
On the pass rush playing well…
"Playing hard, playing with fundamentals and technique. They've done a good job in the running game, but they're certainly affecting the quarterback, as well. In some of our pressures, our twist games, they're functioning and operating at a pretty high level together collectively as a group. So, a lot of positives."
On playing well in early games…
"I think those teams have prepared in a great way, practiced in a great way, and given themselves a chance to go play the way they need to, to win a football game."
On if Texas stirs up extra emotions as a former Oklahoma quarterback…
"I think about this Saturday. That's really what I think about."
On how he's working to get Faizon ready for the biggest game of his young career…
"Prepare in a great way, invest in practice in a great way, and win the preparation, that gives you a chance to go play the way that you want to."
On the atmosphere he expects for the game…
"First of all, our fans always show up in a great way. We're starting conference play. Expect them to be at their best Saturday, 12 o'clock when the ball is teed up. It should be a great contest."
Players Mentioned
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 21
Monday, September 21
