The 2026 college football season will open with a much‑anticipated matchup as the Tennessee Volunteers host Furman University on Saturday, September 5, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET.
Week Zero Preview
Furman, meanwhile, begins its campaign a week earlier, traveling to face Anderson University (SC) on Thursday, August 27, a game that will stream on ESPN+ for Volunteers fans eager to scout the Paladins’ new signal‑caller.
Jake Garcia’s Journey
Jake Garcia, the former four‑star recruit who has passed through Miami, Missouri, East Carolina and Michigan, arrives in Greenville with a career résumé that includes 2,376 passing yards, 15 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.
After a strong preseason, Garcia earned the starting quarterback role for the Paladins, a development that has drawn attention from analysts who note his 2023 appearance for Missouri against Tennessee, a game the Volunteers won 36‑7.
Both Furman and Georgia Tech will enjoy an eight‑day gap between their Week Zero and Week 2 contests, giving coaching staffs extra time to fine‑tune strategies before the Volunteers meet them again in the second week of play.
The upcoming September 5 showdown promises an early‑season test that could set the tone for both programs, with Garcia’s debut under the bright lights of Neyland Stadium.