You don't have to ask legendary Alabama coach Nick Saban about what it's like to play at Neyland Stadium. While with the Tide, Saban became used to Vols fans letting him have it, and he's now ready for more of the same to be on the way for Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns this weekend, with No. 1 Texas visiting No. 14 Tennessee.
While speaking with Pat McAfee to preview this heavyweight battle, Saban said the environment in Knoxville can 100 percent make an impact on how things turn out. With that, he provided a bit of a warning for Texas, while also indirectly issuing a bit of a challenge for Tennessee fans: be loud to rattle Texas from start to finish in this one.
"This was one of the most difficult places to play in the SEC," Saban said about Neyland Stadium. "I always thought LSU, A&M, and Tennessee were the most difficult places to play. Especially if the game is a game and the fans can stay in the game. I mean, it really gets difficult."
"This was one of the most difficult places to play in the SEC..
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) September 25, 2026
Tennessee has run the ball so effectively and Heupel is a master at taking advantage of whatever he sees out there" ~ Coach Saban #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/208ycZRnLB
Tennessee fans will need to prove Nick Saban right with No. 1 Texas in Knoxville this weekend
If anything, Saban just reminded the Tennessee faithful that they've got to be LOUD from start to finish against Texas, especially when Arch Manning is on the field. A lot is being made of the Heisman contender going head-to-head with Faizon Brandon, a 5-star freshman who is getting ready for just his fourth college start.
It's going to be on Jim Knowles to apply plenty of pressure on Manning, while the fans will do everything they can to throw him off his game. As for Brandon, yes, there's going to be a lot of focus on him too, but a healthy DeSean Bishop is going to make a monster impact for him too. Bishop is battling a hip injury, but he's not on the injury report and will be ready to rock. There's no overstating how important that is for Brandon and Josh Heupel.
"The one thing that Tennessee does, and they've had a tremendous amount of success with everyone talking about the young quarterback (Brandon), but they haven't put a lot on the guy," Saban said. "They have run the ball so effectively, and this spread offense that they run where you're so spread out, it's really hard to disguise what you're doing on defense. Heupel is a master of taking advantage of whatever he sees out there."
So, feed DeSean? You bet. In a perfect world, Brandon plays beyond his years, and Bishop reminds everyone why he's one of the top running backs in the SEC. Oh, and that gets showcased in a Vols victory over the top team in the nation.
With countless people already making their way to town, the energy around campus is already simply amazing. That energy will translate to the stands once kickoff gets here. Saban knows what it's like to go up against jacked-up Vols fans, and funny enough, so does Sarkisian. Still, Vols supporters know what they have to do come Saturday afternoon. Will it make a huge difference in a Tennessee upset? We hope so.
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