September Schedule Overview
Tennessee will begin the 2026 football season in September with four contests, three of which will be played at Neyland Stadium and one away.
The first test arrives on September 5 when the Vols host Furman in Knoxville, followed by a road trip to Atlanta to meet Georgia Tech on September 12.
A week later, Kennesaw State will return to Knoxville to face Tennessee, a game that will be overseen by former Vols running backs coach Jerry Mack, now the head coach of the Owls.
The month will close with a home showdown against Texas, a program that ESPN’s College Football Power Index gives a 75.5 % chance of victory.
Projected Outlook
Overall, the model projects a 7.3‑4.7 record for the Vols across the season and a 3‑1 finish to September, giving the team a solid foundation as they head into conference play.
Head coach Josh Heupel remains confident that the early schedule will provide the team with the momentum needed to compete in the SEC, while the matchup against Texas could prove decisive for postseason positioning.