Texas and Tennessee are both undefeated this season, and now they’re meeting for the first time in nearly 80 years — in a stadium where Texas has never played before. The Longhorns and the Volunteers face off Saturday, Sept. 26, at noon ET on ABC from Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
The game is a clash between the ranked No. 1 team and the No. 14 team. Texas has won three straight games so far, while Tennessee has also started 3-0. Both teams are unbeaten heading into this SEC matchup.
The Two Programs
Texas leads the all-time series 2-1, but the two programs have only met three times, all in bowl games. This Saturday marks their first regular-season meeting since 1951.
The Longhorns are led by quarterback Arch Manning, who has guided the team to wins against Texas State, Ohio State and UTSA to start the season. The Volunteers, also known as the Vols, have beaten Furman, Georgia Tech and Kennesaw State.
Tennessee opens SEC play at home, while Texas is making its first visit to Neyland Stadium.
Watching Without Cable
ABC carries the game, but not everyone has cable. The network is available to stream through DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV or Fubo, all of which currently offer free trials for eligible subscribers. Sling also carries ABC, though it does not offer a traditional free trial.
Here is how each service breaks down:
| Service | Trial Offer |
|---|---|
| DirecTV | Free trial for eligible subscribers |
| Hulu + Live TV | Free trial for eligible subscribers |
| Fubo | Free trial for eligible subscribers |
| Sling | No traditional free trial |
The game at Neyland Stadium is sold out and expected to draw plenty of attention. Texas is currently favored by around 4 to 5.5 points, depending on the sportsbook, but overall prediction models are split. Some give Texas the edge while others project a narrow Tennessee win.
“This Saturday marks their first regular-season meeting in a series that dates back to 1951.”
What to Expect
The game is a matchup between two undefeated teams, both ranked. Texas enters as the top-ranked team in the country, while Tennessee sits at No. 14.
The prediction models are split, with some giving Texas the edge and others projecting a narrow Tennessee win.
The game kicks off at noon ET on Saturday, Sept. 26. For fans without cable, the free trials from DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV and Fubo provide a straightforward path to watching the game live.
The stadium is sold out, and the game is expected to draw plenty of attention. Texas is making its first visit to Neyland Stadium, while Tennessee is playing its first SEC home game of the season.
This is a historic meeting for both programs, and the free-streaming options make it easy for fans to watch from anywhere.
Source material: “Where to Watch the 2026 Texas vs. Tennessee College Football Game Free Online,” Billboard.
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