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Texas football will travel to Knoxville this weekend to begin SEC play as a road favorite, a scenario that analysts view as a critical early test for the program in the 2026 college football season.
According to FanDuel, the consensus No. 1 Longhorns are 5.5-point favorites against No. 14 Tennessee, with the over/under set at 55.5 points. Those numbers are expected to shift before Saturday's kickoff, and other odds trackers already list the total at 57.5 points.
Both Texas and Tennessee come into the matchup with perfect 3-0 records. The Longhorns are fresh off a 30-6 victory over UTSA last weekend, while the Volunteers earned a 42-9 win over Kennesaw State.
Texas has already navigated its most significant early-season hurdle, erasing a 20-point deficit against then-top-ranked Ohio State two weeks ago. The Longhorns scored 21 fourth-quarter points to outscore the Buckeyes 24-23 at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
This weekend's game marks Texas's first SEC road contest of the 2026 regular season and the program's first trip to Neyland Stadium since joining the league in 2024.
Tennessee's offense will be directed by freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, who threw for 178 yards and a passing touchdown while adding a rushing touchdown against Kennesaw State.
Meanwhile, Texas aims to maintain its consensus No. 1 ranking and avoid another slow start like the one it experienced versus UTSA.
FanDuel's 5.5-point spread indicates a highly competitive matchup, and the 55.5-point total suggests both teams are prepared for an offensive showdown.
Texas and Tennessee kick off at 11 a.m. Central on ABC.
Originally reported by yahoo.