Football is back on Rocky Top, and KnoxTNToday is kicking off a new way for readers to get into the game.
Introducing the KnoxTNToday Game Ball, a weekly Tennessee football prediction contest that is free to enter and does not require a subscription.
The Tennessee Volunteers take on the Furman Paladins on Saturday, Sept. 5, at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.
Before the Vols take the field, we want your prediction.
Make your pick
What will the final score be?
Tennessee: ______
Furman: ______
Email your prediction to gameball@knoxtntoday.com before kickoff Saturday.
Use the subject line:
GAME BALL – TENNESSEE VS. FURMAN
In the email, include:
Name:
Tennessee score:
Furman score:
That’s it. You’re entered.
Each week’s Game Ball winner receives a gift certificate for dinner at Aubrey’s.
Qualifications
Participants must be 18 or older. One entry per person. No purchase or subscription necessary. Entries must be received before kickoff. KnoxTNToday staff members directly involved in administering or judging the contest are not eligible to win.
How the Game Ball works
The reader who correctly predicts the final score wins.
If no one predicts the exact score, the winner will be the reader whose prediction has the smallest combined difference from the actual scores of the two teams.
For example, if Tennessee wins 38-17 and you predicted 35-20, you missed Tennessee’s score by three points and Furman’s by three. Your total difference would be six points.
If two or more entries finish with the same difference, the prediction closest to Tennessee’s actual score will serve as the first tiebreaker. If entries are still tied, a winner will be selected at random from the remaining tied entries.
Tennessee opens the 2026 season
Saturday’s game marks the beginning of Tennessee’s 2026 football season and just the third meeting between Tennessee and Furman.
The teams have not played since 1942, with Tennessee winning both previous meetings.
The opener also begins a new era at quarterback for Tennessee, with freshman Faizon Brandon named the Vols’ starter.
But the big question for Game Ball players is much simpler:
What will that scoreboard say when the game is over?
Make your prediction, enjoy Saturday’s game and come back to KnoxTNToday on Tuesday to see who earns the first KnoxTNToday Game Ball — and dinner at Aubrey’s.
Ready to play?
Email gameball@knoxtntoday.com.
Subject: GAME BALL – TENNESSEE VS. FURMAN
Include your name, Tennessee score and Furman score.
Entries close at the 3:30 p.m. kickoff Saturday, Sept. 5.
The KnoxTNToday Game Ball is a KnoxTNToday reader promotion and is not affiliated with or sponsored by the University of Tennessee. No purchase or subscription is necessary to enter.
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