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Sep 26, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

Texas' defense faced its biggest test of the season against one of the nation's most productive offenses in the Tennessee Volunteers. Here's what its dominant performance revealed about the Longhorns.

Sep 26, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Graceson Littleton reacts during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

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Texas' defense faced its biggest test of the season against one of the nation's most productive offenses in the Tennessee Volunteers. Here's what its dominant performance revealed about the Longhorns.

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Texas coach Steve Sarkisian leaves the field at the half during a college football game against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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The Longhorns added another significant result to their resume Saturday, giving voters plenty to consider as the national rankings turn towards next week.

Sep 26, 2026; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Texas quarterback Arch Manning (16) celebrates after a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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No. 1 Texas survived a major scare from the Tennessee Vols at Neyland Stadium. Here are 3 massive overreactions to the intense 20-17 SEC showdown.

Texas Longhorns running back Raleek Brown runs. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images

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The Texas Longhorns may have defeated Tennessee, but there is a lot to clean up.

Texas coach Steve Sarkisian leaves the field at the half during a college football game against Tennessee on Sept. 26, 2026, in Knoxville, Tennessee.

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One major problem could derail the 2026 season for the Texas Longhorns if it is left unchanged.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian looks on before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium.

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The Texas Longhorns score a big road win over the Tennessee Volunteers, but they still have one glaring issue.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian looks on before the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium.

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The Texas Longhorns faced some injury questions during their matchup with Tennessee in Knoxville.

Texas defenders shush the Tennessee student section. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images

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The Texas Longhorns escaped Knoxville with a narrow victory.

Texas Longhorns running back Raleek Brown (0) runs against Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Amare Campbell (0) during the second half at Neyland Stadium.

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With the Longhorns' offense still finding their momentum, the defense shut down the Volunteers for another Texas victory.

Texas Longhorns edge Colin Simmons (1) celebrates after Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon (11) is sacked again during a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026.

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Before he put together the best game of his college career, Texas Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons went viral for an inappropriate celebration against Tennessee.

Texas edge Colin Simmons celebrates after Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon is sacked again during a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026.

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The Texas Longhorns escaped Neyland Stadium with its perfect record intact, but the win wasn’t pretty. Here’s the good, bad and ugly from the Longhorns’ win over the Tennessee Volunteers.

Texas Longhorns defensive end Colin Simmons (1) celebrates with teammates after defeating the against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

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The Texas Longhorns needed help from the defense against the Tennessee Volunteers, and edge rusher Colin Simmons responded with a record-tying day.

Texas Longhorns running back Ryan Niblett (21) runs against the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium.

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The Texas Longhorns beat Tennessee in their SEC opener despite a massive amount of mistakes and poor play by the offense, but the defense carried.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) passes Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Neyland Stadium.

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The Texas Longhorns had multiple chances to build a big lead against Tennessee in the first half but shot themselves in the foot one too many times.

Johnny Knoxville, right, shakes hands with Nick Saban, left, during ESPN’s College GameDay before a college football game between Tennessee and Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Sept. 26, 2026.

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ESPN's College GameDay was on hand ahead of the SEC opener between the Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) throws the ball during the first half against the UTSA Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

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The Texas Longhorns set out for another big win in a Top 15 matchup against the Tennessee Volunteers.

Texas Longhorns running back Hollywood Smothers (2) warms up before a game against the UTSA Roadrunners at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.

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Texas Longhorns running back Hollywood Smothers has been dealing with an injury before facing Tennessee.

Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team on to the field before a game against the Texas State Bobcats.

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The Texas Longhorns look to get SEC play rolling while taking on the Tennessee Volunteers, here are three predictions for the matchup.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian watches from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

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The Texas Longhorns travel to take on the Tennessee Volunteers, and the week four matchup will be decided by five key areas

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian.

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The No. 1 Texas Longhorns face a major road test against No. 14 Tennessee, with three key questions looming as both teams open SEC play in Knoxville.

Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning (16) runs during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

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The Texas Longhorns struggled away from home throughout last season. With more experience under their belt, can this year's team avoid the same mistakes in a hostile Neyland Stadium against the Tennessee V

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian walks across the field prior to the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

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The Texas Longhorns put an emphasis on fixing some notable offensive issues this offseason.

Texas Longhorns Head Coach Steve Sarkisian leads his team on to the field. Mandatory Credit: Scott Wachter-Imagn Images

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The Texas Longhorns and Tennessee Volunteers may have to adjust their in-game scheme.

Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian watches from the sideline during the NCAA football game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Darrell K Royal–Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Sept. 12, 2026.

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The Texas Longhorns' SEC opener at Tennessee may actually be the toughest test to date this season.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel chats with Tennessee quarterback Faizon Brandon during Tennessee's college football game against Kennesaw State

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Tennessee freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon will face the biggest test of his young career against the Texas Longhorns.