Georgia Tech took an unexpected setback in Week 1, falling to Deion Sanders' Colorado Buffaloes in its season opener.
Can the Yellow Jackets avoid an 0-2 start and upset No. 18 Tennessee at home in Week 2?
That'll be decided at 7 p.m. ET when the two southern programs that are divided by just over 200 miles kick off inside Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta, though it'll be a tough task for the Yellow Jackets.
Watch Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech football on Fubo (free trial)
Both teams have first-year starting quarterbacks in Tennessee's Faizon Brandon and Georgia Tech's Alberto Mendoza, the brother of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza. In the Vols' Week 1 win over Furman, Brandon completed 13-of-17 passes for 226 yards and three touchdowns, while
adding 68 yards and two scores on the ground. Mendoza's debut with the Yellow Jackets wasn't as flashy, as he was 17-of-23 passing for 237 yards. He also took three sacks.
Here's everything you need to know about Saturday's matchup, including channel information, kickoff time, odds and our prediction:
What TV channel is Tennessee vs Georgia Tech on today?
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN App | Fubo (free trial)
- Location: Bobby Dodd Stadium (Atlanta)
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 12
Week 2's matchup between Tennessee and Georgia Tech will be broadcast on ESPN. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a TV login) and Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Watch Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech football on Fubo (free trial)
Tennessee vs Georgia Tech start time today
Tennessee and Georgia Tech are scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET.
Tennessee vs Georgia Tech odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Thursday, Sept. 10. Odds subject to change.
- Moneyline: Tennessee (-475) | Georgia Tech (+375)
- Spread: Tennessee (-12)
- Over/under: 55.5
Tennessee vs Georgia Tech predictions, picks
Score from Stephen Thompson, Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee 27, Georgia Tech 13
"This game will be decided in the trenches, and Tennessee has the advantage on both sides of the ball. Georgia Tech will offer stiff resistance, and freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon will likely make the first major mistakes of his college career, but the Vols still win a game that doesn't feel as close as the final score would indicate."
Tennessee vs Georgia Tech: 3 keys to the game
How will Georgia Tech respond after Week 1 upset to Colorado?
The Yellow Jackets were a 7-point favorite against Colorado in Week 1, so their one-point loss didn't represent a massive upset. But the nature of the loss, nonetheless, coupled with Colorado being the more physical team on either side of the line of scrimmage, made for a more surprising outcome in Week 1.
Many of the strengths the Yellow Jackets believed they could lean on, namely solid play in the trenches and an efficient rushing offense, didn't show up against Colorado. Meanwhile, some of the unknowns at quarterback and wide receiver were positive factors.
How did Georgia Tech reload depleted offense?
Among Georgia Tech's offseason losses were a first-round NFL draft pick in offensive guard Keylan Rutledge, the reigning ACC Player of the Year Haynes King, and offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner, who is now at Florida. Eleven transfers on offense arrived to take their places and the turnover proved costly in the opener, as Georgia Tech failed to score an offensive touchdown.
Mendoza was efficient but not explosive, completing 17 of 23 passes for 237 yards without a touchdown or an interception. Transfer running back Justice Haynes, who rushed for 857 yards and 10 touchdowns in only seven games at Michigan last season, averaged 3.4 yards per carry on 19 rushes against Colorado.
What impact will Arion Carter have on Tennessee's defense after suspension?
The Vols get back star linebacker Arion Carter, who served a one-week suspension for violating NCAA rules against impermissible benefits. Carter finished as the Vols' third-leading tackler and tied for the second-most tackles for loss last season.
Despite the absence of Carter last week, the Vols defense remained dominant as they held FCS opponent Furman to just nine points. With Carter back, Jim Knowles’ unit gets an experienced linebacker who is able to be explosive with his playmaking ability in the second level of the Vols' defense.
Tennessee football schedule 2026
Below is a look at Tennessee's schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
- Sept. 5: Tennessee 56, Furman 9
- Sept. 12: at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Sept. 19: vs. Kennesaw State, 7:45 p.m. ET (SECN)
- Sept. 26: vs Texas, Noon ET (ABC or ESPN) *
- Oct. 3: vs. Auburn *
- Oct. 10: at Arkansas *
- Oct. 17: at Alabama
- Oct. 24: at South Carolina *
- Oct. 31: BYE *
- Nov. 7: vs. Kentucky *
- Nov. 14: at Texas A&M *
- Nov. 21: vs. LSU *
- Nov. 28: at Vanderbilt
* Denotes SEC game
Georgia Tech football schedule 2026
Below is a look at Georgia Tech's schedule, including available start times and TV channel information:
- Sept. 3: Colorado 14, Georgia Tech 13
- Sept. 12: vs Tennessee, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)
- Sept. 19: vs. Mercer, Noon ET (ACCN)
- Sept. 26: at Stanford, 10:30 p.m. ET (ESPN) *
- Oct. 3: BYE
- Oct. 10: Duke *
- Oct. 17: at Virginia Tech
- Oct. 24: vs Boston College *
- Oct. 31: at Pitt *
- Nov. 7: vs. Louisville *
- Nov. 14: at Clemson *
- Nov. 21: vs. Wake Forest *
- Nov. 28: at Georgia
* Denotes ACC game
What does this game mean for Tennessee football?
A near two-touchdown favorite heading into the game, Tennessee would land a road win that should reflect nicely in the metrics for the Vols' College Football Playoff resume.
What does this game mean for Georgia Tech football?
If Georgia Tech loses, the Yellow Jackets will sustain their first 0-2 start to the season under Keys. Saturday's game will be a telling sign of the season that might be in store for Georgia Tech and Mendoza. A win would — just like Tennessee — give Georgia Tech an early CFP resume booster.
Knoxville News Sentinel's Stephen Thompson contributed to this story
Be sure to check out USA TODAY Sports' new College Football Unfiltered podcast, hosted by USA TODAY Sports columnist Blake Toppmeyer. You can stream on YouTube or download via Apple podcasts and Spotify.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: What channel is Tennessee vs Georgia Tech on today? Time, TV schedule to watch Week 2 game
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