President Donald Trump is set to attend Saturday’s SEC matchup between No. 14 Tennessee and No. 1 Texas at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, adding a layer of excitement to an already highly anticipated college football game.
Gates opened at 9 a.m. ahead of the noon ET kickoff, with heightened security protocols and road closures around campus in place because of the president’s visit. Fans were still able to enter the stadium well ahead of game time. Neyland Stadium also offered a promotion of 50% off beers between 9 and 10 a.m., with a limit of two per purchase, though fans could return multiple times during the hour-long window.
For many Tennessee supporters, though, the discounted drinks took a back seat to the news that the 47th president would be on hand to watch the game in person, only the fifth all-time meeting between the two programs.
“Glad he’s here. I hope he stays the whole game, we’ll see how it goes. Go Vols!” one fan told OutKick’s Trey Wallace.
Other fans echoed the sentiment. “[It will be a] great time and enjoy it. Glad he’s here,” one said, while another shouted, “MAGA, go Trump, baby. Let’s go!”
The game carried enormous stakes even before word of Trump’s attendance spread. Texas climbed to the top of the AP poll after a dramatic second-half comeback against previously No. 1 Ohio State two weeks ago, putting the Longhorns squarely in the crosshairs of every remaining opponent. Tennessee, ranked 14th nationally, is hoping to use a raucous home crowd at Neyland Stadium to pull off the upset, much as Texas did against Ohio State in Austin.
The Volunteers’ offense, led by freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon, will be counted on to keep pace with a Texas team led by Arch Manning.
Fans who spoke with Wallace were confident in a Tennessee win, though their score predictions varied widely. “67-0,” one fan guessed, before a friend topped him with “68-0.” Another offered a more measured prediction: “34-21, Vols.”
Whether Trump witnesses a Tennessee upset or a continuation of Texas’s dominant season will be decided Saturday afternoon in Knoxville.
