Tennessee Volunteers 2026 Preview
No. 18Tennessee are 1-0 in 2026. They went 8-5 (4-4 in the SEC). Here is what changed on the roster, the full 2026 schedule, and where they rank going into the season.
What changed for Tennessee in 2026
- New defensive coordinator in Jim Knowles (Penn State Defensive Coordinator)
- Starting QB from last season is gone. There is a QB battle between RS freshman George MacIntyre (7-9, 69 yards, 0 TDs; 4-Star QB in Class of 2025 per 247 Sports) and true freshman Faizon Brandon (5-Star QB in Class of 2026, #3 Overall Player in Class of 2026 per 24/7 Sports)
- DeSean Bishop returns at RB after a sophomore season of 1,076 yards and 16 TDs
- Two out of the top three players in terms of receiving yards from last season return in Braylon Staley (837 yards, 6 TDs) and Mike Matthews (813 yards, 4 TDs)
- Returning four starting offensive lineman that allowed 22 sacks in 2025 (54th in CFB)
- Returning three starters on defense, with their top returner being S Edrees Farooq (76 tackles, 2 INTs). Six transfers are expected to start, including Tulane transfer LB Jordan Norman (6 sacks) and Penn State transfer LB Amare Campbell (103 tackles)
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Fact checking by Brady Kommes; cover art by Pace Maier.
Tennessee Volunteers 2026 schedule
| Game | Opponent | Site | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Furman | Home | W 56-9 |
| 2 | Georgia Tech | Away | — |
| 3 | Kennesaw State | Home | — |
| 4 | Texas | Home | — |
| 5 | Auburn | Home | — |
| 6 | Arkansas | Away | — |
| 7 | Alabama | Home | — |
| 8 | South Carolina | Away | — |
| 9 | Kentucky | Home | — |
| 10 | Texas A&M | Away | — |
| 11 | LSU | Home | — |
| 12 | Vanderbilt | Away | — |
Get the printable Tennessee Volunteers 2026 schedule with kickoff times and TV, sized for one page.
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Tennessee Volunteers betting FAQ
Tennessee Volunteers play 12 games in 2026, 7 at home. They open against Furman. The full schedule is listed on this page.
Tennessee sits at No. 18 in Kyle Kommes's preseason Top 25.
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