Kennesaw State at Tennessee - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Kennesaw State Owls at Tennessee Volunteers

Tennessee logo
Saturday, September 19th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Neyland Stadium - Knoxville, TN

 
Owls (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jerry Mack (10 - 4)
Avg Score : 27 - 26 (26 - 29 on Road)
Record Prediction: 1 - 1 (#120)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
KENN coming off BYE
Our Line: Tennessee -22  (SP+ TENN -20)
Projected Score: KENN: 20 - TENN: 42 (62)
TENN Win prob: 96% | Cover: 52%
KENN Travel: 138 miles
Volunteers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Josh Heupel (45 - 20)
Avg Score : 40 - 29 (42 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.3 - 3.7 (#28)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 4) (Good: 3) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 2)
 
Kennesaw State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Kennesaw State vs West Georgia-18.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 9/19Kennesaw State at Tennessee+22————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kennesaw State's Schedule
Tennessee's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Tennessee vs Furman-32————
Sat 9/12Tennessee at Georgia Tech-7————
Sat 9/19Tennessee vs Kennesaw State-22————
Sat 9/26Tennessee vs Texas+9.5————
Sat 10/3Tennessee vs Auburn-8.5————
Sat 10/10Tennessee at Arkansas-11————
Sat 10/17Tennessee vs Alabama-1————
Sat 10/24Tennessee at South Carolina-6.5————
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/7Tennessee vs Kentucky-16.5————
Sat 11/14Tennessee at Texas A&M+5————
Sat 11/21Tennessee vs LSU-1————
Sat 11/28Tennessee at Vanderbilt-5.5————
Record: 0–0Projected spreads in italics

Total: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 4, Good: 3, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Tennessee's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KENN#74 (.17)41% (87)26.742% (90)2.84 (85)16042% (65)2432.95 (126)#66 (.16)42% (73)25.544% (87)41% (64)3.57 (60)66.81.31.1
TENN#5 (.33)51% (5)39.852% (3)3.1 (40)17650% (9)2934.69 (9)#69 (.16)44% (107)28.848% (123)41% (67)4.09 (109)54.81.21.5
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KENN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
TENN0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENN Offense1426.725.741.3%2.951.3224031602434.253%45%42%42%15%.17
TENN Defense1328.82944.5%4.091.5 - - - - - 50%49%48%41%18%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KENN Defense1425.529.342.1%3.571.1 - - - - - 53%46%44%41%17%.16
TENN Offense1339.842.350.6%4.691.2254691762934.750%48%52%50%12%.33

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kennesaw State1428:0621.540%59%7.566.81.31.16.42.2129
Tennessee1327:2225.250%76%6.254.81.21.56.62.7428.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KENN Offense1453% (43)42% (90)38.6160.14.220 (107).11 (69)2.84 (85)80% (17)10% (79)1.03 (46)
TENN Defense1350% (72)48% (123) - - - - .12 (79)2.89 (73)82% (126)12% (16)0.85 (15)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KENN Defense1453% (104)44% (87) - - - - .16 (100)2.97 (82)69% (52)11% (42)1.03 (104)
TENN Offense1350% (65)52% (3)37.8176.24.735 (16).26 (9)3.1 (40)85% (2)8% (23)0.96 (72)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENN Offense1445% (98)42% (65)18.630.2243.1813.126 (86)11 (7).33 (44)1.7 (19)33% (102)32% (53).39 (38)6% (48)2.2 (20)
TENN Defense1349% (78)41% (67) - - - - - - 10 (75).22 (58)1.5 (54)31% (78)28% (45).26 (58)7% (32)2.1 (105)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KENN Defense1446% (42)41% (64) - - - - - - 9 (100).19 (47)1.4 (20)30% (89)25% (12).19 (25)6% (57)2.2 (126)
TENN Offense1348% (74)50% (9)22.533.6292.88.71326 (14)10 (88).41 (19)1.6 (57)26% (10)34% (24).47 (16)5% (28)2.2 (10)

Kennesaw State's Power Ratings
Kennesaw State's Power Rating: -4.26  #96
Kennesaw State's Offense Rating: 11.75  #102
Kennesaw State's Defense Rating: 16.00  #75
2026 Talent Rating: 363.00  #129
Blue Chip Ratio: 125%  #81
Kennesaw State's 2026 Expected Record: 1.0 - 1.0
Kennesaw State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -5.4  #91
Kennesaw State's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.4  #72
Kennesaw State's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.2  #93

Average Talent
Average Conference USA Talent Rating is 436.36
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.7

Power Ratings Matchup
Kennesaw State: -4.26   Tennessee: 17.295

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kennesaw State: -5.4   Tennessee: 15.0




Tennessee's Power Ratings
Tennessee's Power Rating: 17.295  #17
Tennessee's Offense Rating: 20.97  #22
Tennessee's Defense Rating: 6.38  #13
2026 Talent Rating: 1048.00  #9
Blue Chip Ratio: 999  #1
Tennessee's 2026 Expected Record: 8.3 - 3.7
Tennessee's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 15.0  #16
Tennessee's Offense SP+ Rating: 39.3  #7
Tennessee's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.4  #63

Average Talent
Average SEC Talent Rating is 985.31
Average Power Five Talent: 871.03
Average FBS Talent: 676.7


Kennesaw State Scoring
Offense: 26.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 25.7
Defense: 25.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 29.3

Kennesaw State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Tennessee 42
Kennesaw State 20

Projected Total Points: 62
Tennessee Scoring
Offense: 39.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 42.3
Defense: 28.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 29

Tennessee's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Tennessee000 Overs
Kennesaw State000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#96) KENN at (#17) TENN
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKENNTENN
Game ControlGC #66 #24
Momentum ControlMC #110 #50
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #96 #17
SP+SP+ #91 #16
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #129 #9
Blue ChipsBC% #81 #1
Tennessee Notes
(2/17) Vibes: High w QB back, '26 could be magical
(2/11) Hired strength coach from Indiana
(2/6) OL allowed pressure on 49% of drop backs LY
(2/4) QB set if Aguilar is back, depth is talented/no exp
(2/2) Did not beat team w winning record LY.
(1/28) Def loaded, F7 looks great, best LB's in CFB?
(1/28) New DC Knowles (PSU) + 4 PSU Def Portals
(1/28) WR loaded w/ Matthews & Staley. David solid TE
(1/28) OL looks really good, Vols lines look tough
(1/28) RB Bishop is top 10 back, have depth as well
(1/28) Big crootin class, could help fill gaps early
Tennessee Injury Report
Kennesaw State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
KENN OffTENN Def
Game ControlGC #85 #15
Momentum ControlMC #52 #75
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #87 #107
ExplosiveExp #22 #13
PPAPPA #74 #69
PowerPwr #102 #13
SP+SP+ #72 #63
Pts POPPO #126 #109
HavocHav #61 #19
Kennesaw State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
KENN OffTENN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #90 #123
Run ExplRExp #46 #15
PPAExp #69 #79
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #85 #73
Stuff RateStuff #100 #47
TackleTak - NR
Kennesaw State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 44%, Run: 53%
CategoryCat
KENN OffTENN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #65 #67
Pass ExplPExl #19 #54
PPAExp #44 #58
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #79 #16
DB HavocDB #48 #32
Tennessee on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffKENN Def
Game ControlGC #31 #46
Momentum ControlMC #19 #124
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #5 #73
ExplosiveExp #51 #50
PPAPPA #5 #66
PowerPwr #22 #75
SP+SP+ #7 #93
Pts POPPO #9 #60
HavocHav #18 #45
Tennessee Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCat
TENN OffKENN Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #3 #87
Run ExplRExp #72 #104
PPAExp #9 #100
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #40 #82
Stuff RateStuff #12 #67
TackleTak - NR
Tennessee Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 49%
CategoryCatTENN OffKENN Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #9 #64
Pass ExplPExl #57 #20
PPAExp #19 #47
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #23 #42
DB HavocDB #28 #57
Program Comparison
TENN 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Remains CFP Hopefuls

KENN 5 Year Profile: Improving Poor G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Neyland Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
KENN's OC Mitch Militello (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Rickie Collins (Tr)9718154%10426105.8
Devaughn Slaughter (Tr)010%0010.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Latrelle Murrell (Tr)17689435.167
Rickie Collins (Tr)5412612.324
Zion Booker (Tr)52404.810
Devaughn Slaughter (Tr)11800.712
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Brayden Munroe (Tr)46696315.160
Devaughn Slaughter (Tr)55551310.082
Zion Booker (Tr)4641829.140
Latrelle Murrell (Tr)22246411.262

View Kennesaw State's Full Roster

KENN's DC Marc Mattioli (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Baron Hopson13910126
Tywon Christopher815212
Isaac Paul570002
Josh Anglin (Tr)381001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Donovan Westmoreland356411
Devin Morgan (Tr)226400
Marcus Patterson326210
Kody Jones297243
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Baron Hopson13910126
Kody Jones297243
Luke Evans (Tr)100003

TENN's OC Joey Halzle (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Ryan Staub (Tr)305555%426347.7
George MacIntyre7978%69007.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
DeSean Bishop1821076165.950
Javin Gordon (Tr)12851654.025
Daune Morris3513313.819
Justin Baker144303.17
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Braylon Staley68837612.373
Mike Matthews53813415.362
Ian Duarte (Tr)46521311.3N/A
Ethan Davis21257212.240

View Tennessee's Full Roster

TENN's DC Jim Knowles (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Edwin Spillman814332
Jeremiah Telander806120
Edrees Farooq760003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jordan Norman (Tr)278620
Daevin Hobbs304322
Amare Campbell (Tr)10310341
Edwin Spillman814332
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ty Redmond4310011
DJ Burks (Tr)732005
Kayin Lee (Tr)310004