If you’re checking your phone or asking your smart speaker who won the Tennessee football game, you’re probably looking for one of two things: the college kids in Knoxville or the pros in Nashville. It’s early 2026, and the sports landscape in the Volunteer State has been a bit of a whirlwind lately.
Whether you bleed orange and white or you’re pulling for the two-toned blue, the results from the last few weeks have been... well, let’s just say they’ve been a mix of "celebrating in the streets" and "staring blankly at the TV."
The Tennessee Titans: A Tough End to the Season
First, let's talk about the Nashville side of things. The Tennessee Titans just wrapped up their regular season on January 4, 2026, and it wasn't the kind of game fans are going to be rewatching for fun.
The Titans traveled down to Jacksonville to face the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. It was brutal. Honestly, the final score says it all: Jacksonville Jaguars 41, Tennessee Titans 7.
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It was a rough outing for Brandon Allen, who struggled to get anything moving against a Jags defense that seemed to be in the backfield on every other play. The silver lining? Cam Ward showed a few flashes of what he can do, completing all three of his passes for 52 yards, but it was far too little, too late.
The Jaguars basically took control in the second quarter, putting up 24 points while the Titans' offense stayed stuck in neutral. If you were looking for a victory here, you're out of luck. The Titans finished the season at 3-14, putting them at the bottom of the AFC South.
Tennessee Volunteers Basketball: Taking the Spotlight
Since the college football season for the Tennessee Volunteers wrapped up earlier, the big news in Knoxville right now is actually on the hardwood. If you heard someone shouting "Go Vols!" this week, they were probably talking about the nail-biter that happened on January 13, 2026.
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The No. 24 Vols took on Texas A&M in a double-overtime thriller. It was one of those games that makes you want to pull your hair out. Tennessee ended up winning 87-82, thanks in huge part to freshman Nate Ament. This kid is the real deal—he dropped 23 points, with 10 of those coming during the overtime periods.
Texas A&M actually led for almost 36 minutes of the game, but the Vols just wouldn't go away. They dominated the boards (60-35!) and eventually wore the Aggies down.
Looking Back: Tennessee’s Recent Football History
If you were thinking of a bowl game when you asked who won the Tennessee football game, you might be thinking of the 2025 postseason. The Vols have been a powerhouse under Josh Heupel, and their recent trajectory has fans genuinely excited for the 2026 kickoff this September.
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The program has been hitting milestones lately that we haven't seen in Knoxville since the early 2000s. We're talking back-to-back nine-win seasons and a defense that—believe it or not—has been shutting people out in big moments.
What's Next for Tennessee Football?
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it is a gauntlet. The Vols open up on September 5, 2026, against Furman at Neyland Stadium. But the real date everyone has circled is September 26, when the Texas Longhorns come to town for their first-ever regular-season meeting.
If you're planning your fall around the Vols, here's what the start of the 2026 season looks like:
- Sept 5: vs Furman (Home)
- Sept 12: at Georgia Tech (Atlanta)
- Sept 19: vs Kennesaw State (Home)
- Sept 26: vs Texas (Home - SEC Opener)
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the chaos of Tennessee sports, here is how you stay ahead of the curve:
- Check the Recruiting Trail: With three FWAA Freshman All-Americans recently named, the future in Knoxville is bright. Keep an eye on the "RockyTop26" class as they start arriving for spring practice.
- Titans Draft Watch: Since the NFL season is over for Tennessee, all eyes are on the draft. With a 3-14 record, the Titans are looking at a very high pick. Start scouting the top offensive linemen and receivers now.
- Basketball Rankings: Following the win over Texas A&M, expect the Vols to climb in the AP Top 25. Check the new rankings next Monday.
- Ticket Alerts: If you want to see that Texas vs. Tennessee game in September, start looking at tickets or donor requirements now. That game will be the toughest ticket in Knoxville in years.
So, while the answer to who won the Tennessee football game depends on exactly which team you were tracking, the state's sports scene is anything but boring. The Titans are heading into a massive rebuilding phase, and the Vols are currently one of the most exciting teams in the country, whether they're on the field or the court.