Texas holds No. 1 AP ranking after narrow win at Tennessee
Texas remained atop the AP poll after escaping its SEC opener against Tennessee. The Longhorns now enter a bye week before the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma.
Texas kept the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press poll after beating Tennessee 20-17 at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville on Sept. 26, 2026. That victory came in the Longhorns' opening SEC matchup, and it was decided by three points.
Texas now has a bye week before facing Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry. A photo from the Tennessee win showed Longhorns receiver Jermaine Bishop Jr. (4) leaving the field with the "Horns Up" gesture.
Texas's No. 1 ranking and upcoming rivalry game could shape how fans, students, and alumni experience the season, especially around campus communities. A narrow road win may heighten interest in the bye week and Red River Rivalry, affecting local businesses, media coverage, and the team's national visibility. The outcome may also influence how opponents and recruits perceive the program, though one game rarely defines a season.