Texas Longhorns remain undefeated at 4-0 after a narrow 20-17 victory over No. 14 Tennessee at Neyland Stadium on September 26, 2026. The win, sealed by a crucial Jelani McDonald pass breakup on a last-second Hail Mary, has propelled the Longhorns to the top of the AP Poll, where they have held the No. 1 spot for two weeks.
The Longhorns started their season with a commanding 59-7 victory over Texas State before edging Ohio State 24-23 and beating UTSA 30-6. Their latest win over Tennessee marked their first conference game, opening SEC play on the road with a close result against a ranked opponent. After four games, Texas holds a 1-0 conference record and has outperformed expectations following a preseason No. 10 ranking.
Texas will now enter its only bye week of the season, a break that comes as they prepare for the annual Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma on October 10 in Dallas. Last season, Texas won that matchup 23-6, and while Oklahoma started this season ranked No. 10, the Sooners are currently 2-2 and outside the top 25. The Longhorns will use the bye week to rest and sharpen their game before facing Oklahoma, a fixture that remains one of college football’s most-watched rivalries.
Wide receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr. celebrated the win with a “Horns Up” gesture as he ran off the field, reflecting the team’s confidence after the tight victory. Cam Coleman contributed with key receptions throughout the Tennessee game, facing defensive pressure from volunteers like Ty Redmond.
Texas’ schedule following the bye week includes several tough matchups. After Oklahoma, they face Florida, No. 8 Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and three more games against ranked opponents: No. 20 Missouri, No. 7 LSU, and No. 9 Texas A&M. The Longhorns have eight games remaining, three of which will be true road contests.
The win at Tennessee was a test of Texas’ resilience. Despite the Volunteers’ home advantage and a late push, Texas held on thanks to defensive plays and timely offense. The Longhorns scored 20 points while limiting Tennessee to 17, maintaining their undefeated run.
Texas coach and players have not publicly commented extensively on the upcoming bye week, but the timing offers the team a chance to recover physically and mentally ahead of a demanding stretch. The Longhorns’ performance so far challenges narratives from last season, when they had two bye weeks and a less consistent record.
The Longhorns will be back in action October 10, aiming to extend their unbeaten streak in the Red River Rivalry before continuing a schedule that includes multiple ranked conference foes. For now, they enjoy a rare pause as the nation’s top-ranked team with a 4-0 record.
According to Yahoo Sports.