When Texas fans flaunt Matthew McConaughey, Tennessee fans fire back with Morgan Wallen. And when Longhorns loyalists lean on Kevin Durant, Big Orange partisans point to Peyton − no last name needed.
For nearly 60 years, Tennessee and Texas haven't had much reason to cheer against each other, other than to argue over which university is the real UT. They sometimes debated about the superior shade of orange, but that's easy: Tennessee wears the color of flames, and Texas wears an orange that's burnt.
We're still waiting to see who the celebrity guest picker will be when ESPN's "College GameDay" rolls into Knoxville for No. 13 Tennessee vs. No. 1 Texas. While the slot is typically reserved for a fan of the host school, celebrities on both sides
of the orange aisle will be pulling for their respective teams from afar.
Here's a look at some of the most notable celebrity alumni and fans of Tennessee and Texas.
Celebrities that Texas Longhorns football fans can claim
- Kevin Durant: One of the greatest players of his generation. Team loyalty, however, has never been his strongest stat.
- Matthew McConaughey: Alright, alright, alright ... this one is pretty cool. But we get it by now: You're still dazed and confused about which school is the real UT.
- Neil deGrasse Tyson: While this Texas alumnus can explain some of the galaxy's most fascinating phenomena, can you really trust someone who thinks Austin sits at the center of the universe?
- Owen Wilson: So, you went to Texas? Wowwww.
- Renée Zellweger: She has four Golden Globes, two Oscars and one questionable team affiliation.
Celebrities that Tennessee Volunteers football fans can claim
- Johnny Knoxville: The man loves Knoxville so much he made it his name − then got run over repeatedly while returning kickoffs in a Tennessee uniform. That's commitment.
- Kenny Chesney: Not only is the country megastar a Vols fan, but his songs are the soundtrack to a day on the water, making him the perfect fit for a fan base that tailgates by boat.
- Kevin Hart: Don't sell him short. Kevin Hart could be the biggest active Vols fan on the list, with a son on Tennessee's track and field team. No joke.
- Morgan Wallen: If we're talking Tennessee, Morgan Wallen is one of the first celebrities that comes to mind. The Volunteer State has produced countless country music stars, but few have found their way onto Tennessee tailgate playlists more than this Knoxville native.
- Peyton Manning: No hard feelings, Arch. But even your uncle knows which school is the real UT.
And if the debate still isn't settled, we'll leave the final word to another celebrity who needs no last name: Dolly loved the Vols, and we'll always love her.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor for Knox News. Email: ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com; Cell: 865-317-5138; Instagram: @knoxscruff.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee and Texas meet again, and famous fans have picked their sides
