Tennessee
Tennessee football will beat Oklahoma by at least 20 points and other overreactions
Tennessee football set offensive records in a rout against Kent State on Saturday, setting up a major showdown in its SEC opener.
The No. 9 Vols (3-0) beat winless Kent State 71-0 at Neyland Stadium, scoring the most points in a game in the modern era among many records.
Here are overreactions from the win:
The Vols will beat Oklahoma by at least 20
Tennessee might not score 50 points for the fourth straight game. But it will still beat Oklahoma by at least 20 when it goes to Norman, Oklahoma, for the SEC opener.
No. 14 Oklahoma is 3-0 but has not been inspiring. The Sooners beat Tulane 34-19 on Saturday after struggling against Houston a week earlier in a 16-12 win.
UT’s offense is crushing teams, while its defense has yet to allow a touchdown through three games. That is a wicked combination that’ll lead to a rout at Oklahoma.
Mike Matthews is going to start for Tennessee this season
Mike Matthews made his Tennessee debut and he was sensational. The five-star freshman wide receiver reeled in a leaping touchdown catch in the second quarter for his first career score.
ADAMS: I’m wondering if the Tennessee-Oklahoma football matchup could now be a mismatch | Adams
He had two catches for 35 yards, including the 18-yard touchdown. Matthews battled an injury early in preseason practices, which limited his start to the season. But coach Josh Heupel made a telling comment about Matthews when he said the Vols were able to roll out an offensive set with four wide receivers now that Matthews was healthy. That bodes well for his playing time.
Tennessee has a deep wide receiver group, which has been talking about plenty throughout the past two months. Matthews could break into it in a major way as the season unfolds, especially in the slot where Tennessee isn’t as deep as it is on the outside.
Tennessee football will break program record for points in a season
Tennessee set a long list of offensive records against Kent State (0-3). It put another one in its sights: the single-season scoring record.
The Vols have scored 191 points through three games. The season record for scoring is 599, which it set in 2022.
If Tennessee plays 10 more games this season, it would need to average 40.8 points per game through the remainder of the regular season and a postseason game to set the record. UT is averaging 63.7.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
Tennessee
Nonprofit rescues 11 ‘emaciated and suffering’ animals from Tennessee property ahead of dangerous cold snap
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – The Animal Rescue Corps (ARC) is asking for donations after rescuing 11 animals Friday.
ARC said it was contacted by law enforcement in an unidentified rural Tennessee area to rescue five dogs and six cats in what the nonprofit is calling “Operation Cold Snap.”
In the rescue, the nonprofit took in two emaciated Great Danes, three Pit Bulls and six cats. ARC said some of the animals are emaciated and suffering from untreated bite wounds and infections.
The nonprofit said the animals were kept without heat or regular care.
ARC shared a video of the rescue. In it, you can see the property s in disarray with trash littering the floor and overturned furniture.
This rescue comes just days before Middle Tennessee is expected to see its coldest temperatures of the season.
Now, ARC is asking for donations to help the 11 animals rescued Operation Cold Snap. Those interested in donating can do so on the nonprofit’s website.
Copyright 2025 WSMV. All rights reserved.
Tennessee
Alex Golesh hires former Tennessee analyst as Auburn’s coordinator
Alex Golesh was introduced as Auburn’s head coach on Dec. 1. He served as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator and tight ends coach from 2021-22.
Golesh announced the hiring of Jacob Bronowski as Auburn’s special teams coordinator. He served as the Vols’ special teams analyst in 2021 under head coach Josh Heupel. Bronowski was also under Heupel at UCF in 2020 as special teams quality control.
“His track record is outstanding,” Golesh said of Bronowski. “He developed multiple national award contenders, including a Lou Groza Award winner, and has led some of the top special teams units in the country.
“I saw up close when we worked together before that coach Bronowski understands that special teams can be a championship difference-maker, and he’s proven he can develop elite specialists. He brings exactly the attention to detail and relentless work ethic we need in our program.”
Auburn will play at Tennessee on Oct. 3, 2026.
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Tennessee
Tennessee football’s 2026 schedule complete with opponents, dates
Tennessee football will host Lane Kiffin, Alex Golesh and possibly Arch Manning at Neyland Stadium in the 2026 season.
UT’s opponents for the next four seasons were previously announced. On Dec. 11, the SEC released the dates of every conference game, providing the full picture of the 2026 schedule.
Game times and television designations will be announced later.
Texas will make its first trip ever to Tennessee on Sept. 26. Manning, the Longhorns quarterback, is expected to return for the 2026 season rather than enter the NFL draft. If so, he’ll face the Vols on the home turf of his uncle, legendary quarterback Peyton Manning.
Golesh, the former UT offensive coordinator, is Auburn’s new coach. He will return to Knoxville for an Oct. 3 game.
Alabama will play at Tennessee on Oct. 17, continuing their Third Saturday in October rivalry game.
Kiffin, the polarizing former UT coach, is now coaching LSU after bolting Ole Miss after the regular season ended. He will return to Knoxville for a Nov. 21 game. Three of the five SEC teams visiting Neyland Stadium will have a first-year coach, including Kentucky’s Will Stein on Nov. 7.
Tennessee will play Alabama, Kentucky and Vanderbilt as annual SEC opponents in the league’s new nine-game conference schedule. Its other six opponents will rotate each season. That means each school will play every SEC opponent home and away every four years.
Tennessee will have one open week on Oct. 31 and thus won’t play on Halloween.
Here is Tennessee’s week-to-week schedule for the 2026 season.
Tennessee football 2026 schedule
- Sept. 5: Furman
- Sept. 12: At Georgia Tech
- Sept. 19: Kennesaw State
- Sept. 26: Texas*
- Oct. 3: Auburn*
- Oct. 10: At Arkansas*
- Oct. 17: Alabama*
- Oct. 24: At South Carolina*
- Oct. 31: Open
- Nov. 7: Kentucky*
- Nov. 14: At Texas A&M*
- Nov. 21: LSU*
- Nov. 28: At Vanderbilt*
*SEC game
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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