I'm deep in research and writing for the 12th annual Thinking Texas Football preview (it's coming in a couple of weeks, hang in there) and I wanted to share some experience data, some of which isn't really talked about much. 

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Inside Texas Football

Inside Texas

Offensive Experience Matters

On Friday night’s version of the SEC Availability Report, Longhorns' RB Hollywood Smothers is PROBABLE for Texas’ game against Tennessee on

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Texas RB Hollywood Smothers PROBABLE on SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report

The Tennessee Volunteer defense through three games has not been a standout defending the run. Despite most of the production coming from garbage

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Can Texas skill players exploit Tennessee’s biggest weakness on defense?

There is not a bigger game in college football this week than No. 1 Texas (3-0) at No. 14 Tennessee (3-0). So that calls on some of the big names in

arch (8)

National picks: Big names predict winner of No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee

Part of what makes this such a fascinating game is how early it is in the season. Texas is far more battle-tested, even when factoring in Texas

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Texas-Tennessee: Four Possible Outcomes for Saturday

The Texas Longhorns’ Class of 2027 hit the field last night and others will do the same tonight. Here’s the high school football you need to know

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Inside Texas Football Recruiting

Friday Night Longhorns Under the Lights: Week 4 schedules for Texas 2027 commitments

A friend of Inside Texas' offers a break down of Tennessee's defensive front against Georgia Tech. After sending "coach" some film, he responded

Jim Knowles. Credit: Volquest

Know Your Opponent: A Trusted Set of Eyes Breaks Down Tennessee's Front-7

Inside Texas delivers the latest in recruiting with its top 2027 commit visiting an SEC program, plus the latest on new linebacker targets headed to

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Recruiting Humidor: Texas commit seeing UF, 2027 LB Target Visit Plans, Notes

Volquest's own Ryan Schumpert talked with Inside Texas about this weekend's big-time matchup between No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee.  ***Join

NCAA Football: Tennessee at Georgia Tech

Scouting the Vols: Tennessee Insider Ryan Schumpert analyzes and predicts Texas vs Tennessee

Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.   Eh. To heck with the saying. Call me a fool regardless. Just not this weekend.   I was the

horns (1)

Why all but one Inside Texas staffer is picking the Longhorns to beat Tennessee

Inside the Program returns with the latest Texas intel ahead of the Longhorns' SEC opener against Tennessee, including an update on Hollywood

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Inside the Program: Arch Manning Check-In, Leaning on the RBs & Tennessee Gameplan

We're already a quarter of the way through the season, which means Texas is set to hit the road, and play an SEC game, for the first time in 2026.

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Inside Texas Roundtable: What does the IT Staff think of Texas heading into its first road game of the season?

Editor’s Note: This article includes the latest college football injury intel from On3’s Chris Low, Brett McMurphy, Pete Nakos and Wilson

college football week 4 injury updates florida ole miss texas oregon

On3 Football

College Football Injury Report: Latest Week 4 updates at Texas, Ole Miss, Florida & more

When you sign up to play in the SEC, you get road openers in places like Knoxville, rather than Waco. The level of football is way different,

Hollywood Smothers

Inside Texas Intel: What We’re Hearing on Texas Before Tennessee

The anticipation for a game like No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee is always anxiety-inducing if you've got emotional stakes in the matchup. And if

How it's gonna go: Predicting game flow for No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee | Hey Horka!

The No. 1 team in the nation is in Knoxville this weekend. So is Johnny Knoxville. And Ella Langley. And a ton of other celebrities. Shoot, the

Steve Sarkisian

What Steve Sarkisian has been right about as the heat on Texas intensifies | Friday Fodder

On Thursday night’s version of the SEC Availability Report, Texas edge rusher Colin Simmons is no longer on the report, but Nick Townsend is now OUT

Ryan Wingo Spencer Shannon Nick Townsend shot by Will Gallagher

Texas TE Nick Townsend OUT on SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report

Despite its size, the state of Louisiana remains one of the best when it comes to producing a wealth of talent on the football field. According to

eastonroyal

Rivals Football Recruiting

Rivals

Louisiana is loaded with elite prospects in the 2027 cycle

This is not your Mama's Veer N Shoot.   Actually, there's a good chance your Mom doesn't know much about the Veer N Shoot, because I just texted

Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop (18) runs the ball while defended by Georgia Tech during a college football game between Tennessee and Georgia Tech at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., on Sept. 12, 2026. USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Desean Bishop — Tennessee football

2026 Tennessee Volunteers - Texas Longhorn Football Preview: Tennessee Offense

One of the main stories of the early season has been Texas' inability to convert explosive plays, especially through the passing game.  Texas' first

Hollywood Smothers by Will Gallagher

Why has Texas been so successful on offense without explosive passing plays?

Oh, the President is going to be at the Texas vs. Tennessee game?   Steve Sarkisian just calls that Saturday.  Sarkisian shrugged off the notion

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Everything Steve Sarkisian said about Donald Trump, No. 1 Texas at No. 14 Tennessee

This weekend, United States President Donald Trump is set to attend No. 1 Texas' clash vs. No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville.  ***Join InsideTexas.com

Donald Trump

How Does a President Impact a College Football Game? Steve Sarkisian Explains

Three games into the 2026 season, the Texas running back room looks similar on paper to what fans saw in 2025. A closer look, though, shows more

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Why 4.19 Yards Per Carry Looks Different in Burnt Orange This Year

No. 1 Texas heads to Knoxville for the first time in the Battle of UT against No. 14 Tennessee to open SEC play in 2026. Here’s how to watch,

Josh Heupel talks to an official during Tennessee's game against Kennesaw State on Sept. 19 at Neyland Stadium. (Matt Ray/Volquest)

Josh Heupel KSU

How to Watch No. 1 Texas vs No. 14 Tennessee: TV schedule, Start times, and Storylines

Every week we do a “what ratings systems say” article about Texas, comparing the Longhorns to the rest of college football through a variety of

What Ratings Systems Say: Texas vs. the SEC, Tiering the CFB World and SOS Talk

For the second year in a row, Texas is going to open SEC play on the road against a former East division team with a stout defense and a power run

Arch Manning by (Photo by Petre Thomas-Imagn Images)

Texas vs Tennessee preview: How the Longhorns can avoid a defensive struggle on the road

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