NO SIR EEE
The Sultan Of Swat
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Auburn Tigers
(3-1) Overall (1-1) SEC
@
Tennessee Volunteers
(3-1) Overall (0-1) SEC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 17 Tennessee concludes its three-game homestand and will look to get back to its winning ways this Saturday afternoon when it faces off against Auburn for a 3:30 p.m. kick on ESPN at Neyland Stadium. Saturday's meeting between the Vols and Tigers will mark the first meeting between the two programs in Knoxville since 2013.
Bob Wischusen (PxP), Louis Riddick (analyst) and Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter) will have the call for Saturday's game at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Vol Network Radio Info
UT fans can listen to Tennessee's official radio broadcast via the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) on 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 179 or 229) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 953). A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
Voice of the Vols Mike Keith will be joined in the booth by VFL Jayson Swain (analyst) while Brent Hubbs will handle sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast.
The Big Orange Countdown pregame show, hosted by Swain and Hubbs, will begin two and a half hours prior to kickoff at 1 p.m.
Tennessee's official Spanish radio broadcast is available locally on WNML-AM 990 with Carlos Lopez (play-by-play) and J.P. Vasquez (analyst) on the call. That version is also available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Volunteer Gameday, a live, one-hour television preview show, will originate live from the newly developed Champions Corner outside of Gate 9 at Neyland Stadium (weather pending) beginning at 1 p.m. The show will be hosted by Keith, VFL Heath Shuler and WVLT-Knoxville's Brittany Tarwater. Volunteer Gameday will be available on Knoxville flagship TV station WVLT and across the state on the new Tennessee Valley Sports Network (TVSN).
The Vols will wear their "Neyland Legacy" Smokey Grey adidas uniforms for this Saturday's game against Auburn. Tennessee Athletics and adidas have collaborated on a "Smokey Grey" alternate uniform that pays homage to Gen. Robert Neyland's indelible legacy on Rocky Top.
The design blends elements from Neyland's head coaching career and the Tennessee uniforms that spanned his tenure from 1926 through 1952. It pulls key features from multiple eras, embodying Neyland's enduring impact from his military background to his tactical on-field and inspirational contributions.
Bouncing Back Under Heupel
Josh Heupel has lost back-to-back games only four times in his nine seasons as a head coach. He owns a 19-4 record following a loss in the same season, including a 14-3 mark at Tennessee and a 5-1 record at UCF. The Vols have not lost back-to-back home games since 2021, Heupel's first season.
Penn State Connection
UT's defense is thriving with Penn State transfers helping lead the way under new coordinator Jim Knowles. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam has been a monster, racking up 7.5 tackles for loss (third in SEC), four sacks (fourth in SEC) and three quarterback hurries. Senior linebacker Amare Campbell is second on the team in tackles with 22, including three TFLs, while safety Dejuan Lane has a team-high three passes defended (2 PBUs, 1 INT).
Special Teams Contributions
Tennessee notched its fifth special teams return touchdown in the Heupel era (2021-present) in last week's loss to No. 1 Texas. Three have been via punt return and two have been via kickoff return.
Defensive back Qua Moss returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown with 11:14 left in the third quarter against the Longhorns. The return was the longest of his collegiate career, as well as his first career touchdown. Moss' punt return was the longest by a Volunteer since Dee Williams had a 73-yarder at Vanderbilt on Nov. 26, 2022. Prior to Moss, Williams also had the most recent punt return score by a Vol, which came in a 20-13 victory over Texas A&M on Oct. 14, 2023.
Saturday will be the 55th meeting all-time between the two programs and just the third in the last 13 years. Tennessee and Auburn have not played at Neyland Stadium since Nov. 9, 2013.
The Vols are 14-10-2 all-time against the Tigers when playing in Knoxville and will be looking to end a three-game skid against Auburn at home.
USF transfer Byrum Brown is a true dual-threat quarterback for the Tigers' offense, coming into Saturday's meeting as the team's leading passer and rusher. Brown has rushed for 237 yards and three scores on the ground to go along with 896 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He has also been intercepted five times already this season.
Auburn's top three receivers are all USF transfers, as well. The trio of Keshaun Singleton (22 rec., 268 yds, 1 TD), Chas Nimrod (22 rec., 240 yds, 2 TDs) and Jeremiah Koger (10 rec., 177 yds) have proven to be Brown's top targets through four games. Senior running back Jeremiah Cobb ranks second on the team in rushing attempts (41), rushing yards (228) and rushing touchdowns (2) behind Brown.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by a pair of talented linebackers in Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins. Melendez leads the team and ranks fourth in the SEC with 34 total tackles to go along with six tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries, while Atkins ranks fourth in the league with seven TFLs. Atkins, a second team All-American and first team All-SEC selection in 2025, also leads Auburn with three sacks and three quarterback hurries. In the secondary, senior cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. has two of the team's five interceptions on the year.
(3-1) Overall (1-1) SEC
@
Tennessee Volunteers
(3-1) Overall (0-1) SEC
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 17 Tennessee concludes its three-game homestand and will look to get back to its winning ways this Saturday afternoon when it faces off against Auburn for a 3:30 p.m. kick on ESPN at Neyland Stadium. Saturday's meeting between the Vols and Tigers will mark the first meeting between the two programs in Knoxville since 2013.
BROADCAST INFO
TV/Streaming InfoBob Wischusen (PxP), Louis Riddick (analyst) and Stormy Buonantony (sideline reporter) will have the call for Saturday's game at 3:30 p.m. on ESPN.
Vol Network Radio Info
UT fans can listen to Tennessee's official radio broadcast via the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) on 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM (Ch. 179 or 229) and the SiriusXM app (Ch. 953). A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com, the Tennessee Athletics App and the Varsity App.
Voice of the Vols Mike Keith will be joined in the booth by VFL Jayson Swain (analyst) while Brent Hubbs will handle sideline duties for the Vol Network radio broadcast.
The Big Orange Countdown pregame show, hosted by Swain and Hubbs, will begin two and a half hours prior to kickoff at 1 p.m.
Tennessee's official Spanish radio broadcast is available locally on WNML-AM 990 with Carlos Lopez (play-by-play) and J.P. Vasquez (analyst) on the call. That version is also available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Volunteer Gameday, a live, one-hour television preview show, will originate live from the newly developed Champions Corner outside of Gate 9 at Neyland Stadium (weather pending) beginning at 1 p.m. The show will be hosted by Keith, VFL Heath Shuler and WVLT-Knoxville's Brittany Tarwater. Volunteer Gameday will be available on Knoxville flagship TV station WVLT and across the state on the new Tennessee Valley Sports Network (TVSN).
NEED TO KNOW
Vols to Don Smokey Grey "Neyland Legacy" UniformsThe Vols will wear their "Neyland Legacy" Smokey Grey adidas uniforms for this Saturday's game against Auburn. Tennessee Athletics and adidas have collaborated on a "Smokey Grey" alternate uniform that pays homage to Gen. Robert Neyland's indelible legacy on Rocky Top.
The design blends elements from Neyland's head coaching career and the Tennessee uniforms that spanned his tenure from 1926 through 1952. It pulls key features from multiple eras, embodying Neyland's enduring impact from his military background to his tactical on-field and inspirational contributions.
Bouncing Back Under Heupel
Josh Heupel has lost back-to-back games only four times in his nine seasons as a head coach. He owns a 19-4 record following a loss in the same season, including a 14-3 mark at Tennessee and a 5-1 record at UCF. The Vols have not lost back-to-back home games since 2021, Heupel's first season.
Penn State Connection
UT's defense is thriving with Penn State transfers helping lead the way under new coordinator Jim Knowles. Defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam has been a monster, racking up 7.5 tackles for loss (third in SEC), four sacks (fourth in SEC) and three quarterback hurries. Senior linebacker Amare Campbell is second on the team in tackles with 22, including three TFLs, while safety Dejuan Lane has a team-high three passes defended (2 PBUs, 1 INT).
Special Teams Contributions
Tennessee notched its fifth special teams return touchdown in the Heupel era (2021-present) in last week's loss to No. 1 Texas. Three have been via punt return and two have been via kickoff return.
Defensive back Qua Moss returned a punt 57 yards for a touchdown with 11:14 left in the third quarter against the Longhorns. The return was the longest of his collegiate career, as well as his first career touchdown. Moss' punt return was the longest by a Volunteer since Dee Williams had a 73-yarder at Vanderbilt on Nov. 26, 2022. Prior to Moss, Williams also had the most recent punt return score by a Vol, which came in a 20-13 victory over Texas A&M on Oct. 14, 2023.
SERIES HISTORY
Auburn leads series, 29-22-3Saturday will be the 55th meeting all-time between the two programs and just the third in the last 13 years. Tennessee and Auburn have not played at Neyland Stadium since Nov. 9, 2013.
The Vols are 14-10-2 all-time against the Tigers when playing in Knoxville and will be looking to end a three-game skid against Auburn at home.
ABOUT AUBURN
Former Tennessee offensive coordinator Alex Golesh is in his first season as Auburn's head coach after spending the previous three years as the head coach at South Florida, where he compiled a 23-15 record. The Tigers enter Saturday's game at 3-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play after a hard-fought 21-15 victory over Vanderbilt a week ago. This Saturday's contest will mark Auburn's first true road game of the season.USF transfer Byrum Brown is a true dual-threat quarterback for the Tigers' offense, coming into Saturday's meeting as the team's leading passer and rusher. Brown has rushed for 237 yards and three scores on the ground to go along with 896 yards and six touchdowns through the air. He has also been intercepted five times already this season.
Auburn's top three receivers are all USF transfers, as well. The trio of Keshaun Singleton (22 rec., 268 yds, 1 TD), Chas Nimrod (22 rec., 240 yds, 2 TDs) and Jeremiah Koger (10 rec., 177 yds) have proven to be Brown's top targets through four games. Senior running back Jeremiah Cobb ranks second on the team in rushing attempts (41), rushing yards (228) and rushing touchdowns (2) behind Brown.
Defensively, the Tigers are led by a pair of talented linebackers in Elijah Melendez and Xavier Atkins. Melendez leads the team and ranks fourth in the SEC with 34 total tackles to go along with six tackles for loss, two sacks, three pass breakups and two quarterback hurries, while Atkins ranks fourth in the league with seven TFLs. Atkins, a second team All-American and first team All-SEC selection in 2025, also leads Auburn with three sacks and three quarterback hurries. In the secondary, senior cornerback Andre Jordan Jr. has two of the team's five interceptions on the year.
get ugly . . . And the trend will be harder to deny. This is not the number 1 team, and there would be zero reason to think this team will be better than 7-5.
