Texas football Week 4: 5 things to know about the Tennessee Volunteers

For the first time, Texas football is set to travel to Tennessee's Neyland Stadium for their SEC opener this Saturday, September 12, 2026. The highly anticipated matchup between Texas (3-0) and Tennessee (3-0) will kick off at 11 a.m. CT. The two teams currently share the top spot in the newest Associated Press poll, with Texas ranked No. 1 and Tennessee at No. 14. Here are five key points to consider ahead of the game:

1. Freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon is making history at Tennessee. The fifth-star recruit has thrown for 552 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions, while averaging 5.3 yards per rush. At just 18 years old, Brandon became the youngest starting quarterback in school history when he took the field in Tennessee's season opener.

2. Tennessee linebacker Arion Carter is donating money for cancer treatments for each notable play he records. The senior is contributing $427 for every tackle, $500 for each sack, $1,000 for each interception or forced fumble, and $5,000 for any defensive touchdown he secures. His efforts have already raised a total of $7,332 for the Sisters Network Nashville.

3. DeSean Bishop, a Tennessee senior, is the star of the backfield. The all-conference honoree, originally a walk-on, has rushed for 286 yards on just 43 carries and scored four touchdowns. Bishop's impressive performance has made him a key player in Tennessee's rushing attack.

4. Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel has previously faced Texas, with a 1-1 record in two Red River Rivalry games. Heupel, a former Oklahoma quarterback, led the Sooners to a national championship during his senior season (1999-2000). In the past, Heupel went 1-1 against Texas while throwing for 586 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.

5. Texas and Tennessee have a limited history together. The Longhorns have won two of the three meetings, all taking place in the 1951, 1953, and 1969 Cotton Bowls. Texas has never hosted Tennessee, and the Volunteers won't make their first trip to Austin until 2028. In the SEC, Texas has only played South Carolina once, making their shared games with Tennessee even more infrequent.