Both teams entered the Alabama matchup at 5-1. Tennessee ranked No. 14 and Alabama No. 7 in the USA Today coaches poll, according to The Tennessean's matchup report. The Knoxville News Sentinel lineup also raised the question of which quarterback would start and whether the Vols are a pretender or contender.
A surprise song brought Auburn fan Riley Green together with Peyton Manning. "Alabama vs. Tennessee" and its official video appeared on streaming platforms on October 12, 2026, as American Songwriter's report noted. Country Rebel called it a football rivalry song and reported that Manning made his country-recording debut.
Before the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, Davis Shore was 16th in the standings after 24 starts. He ranked eighth in Strokes Gained: Total, 11th in Approach and seventh in Putting, according to the PGA Tour.
Sports lead the lineup
Another prominent listing follows Davis Shore, a former TSSAA golf champion who won his first career PGA Tour card. The page also lists the TSSAA football schedule for Week 9 of the Tennessee high school season.
Knoxville-area Super 25 Rankings appear after an open week. A separate listing covers the 2026 TSSAA volleyball tournament brackets and scores for Division II.
Readers are invited to vote for the Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union girls and boys athletes of the week for October 5 to 9.
After Tennessee beat Arkansas 24-17, the starting-quarterback decision remained a key question ahead of Alabama. George MacIntyre started against Arkansas while Faizon Brandon recovered from a shoulder injury, according to A to Z Sports.
Letters add local opinion
The page includes letters asking why Republican candidates are scared to answer questions. Another letter describes what Jerri Green would do as Tennessee governor.
Gentry Estes is named as the author of the Vols pretender-or-contender column.
