The first KnoxTNToday Game Ball is in the books, and Virginia Farris came about as close as possible without predicting the final score exactly.

Tennessee defeated Furman 56-9 Saturday at Neyland Stadium. Farris predicted Tennessee 56, Furman 10 — getting the Vols’ score exactly right and missing Furman’s by only one point.

That prediction earned Farris dinner at Aubrey’s and the distinction of becoming the first KnoxTNToday Game Ball winner.

Hayley Evans also predicted 56-10, creating a tie under the Game Ball scoring system. Both predictions were one point from the actual final score, and both were exact on Tennessee’s score, our first tiebreaker. Under the rules established before the contest began, a random selection was used to break the remaining tie, with Farris emerging as the winner.

A faster Monday announcement

Thank you to everyone who participated in our first Game Ball. We enjoyed seeing predictions arrive right up until kickoff.

When we launched the contest, we planned to announce each week’s winner on Tuesday so we would have enough time to review the entries, compare every prediction with the final score and resolve any ties.

After our first week, we created a system that lets us process entries quickly after Saturday’s game, apply the Game Ball scoring rules, and have results ready for Monday publication.

So, beginning now, KnoxTNToday Game Ball winners will be announced every Monday.

The weekly rhythm is simple: Make your prediction Friday, watch the Vols on Saturday, and come back Monday to see who won.

Tracking our Game Ball winners all season

We’ll keep a season-long record of our weekly Game Ball winners so readers can follow the contest throughout Tennessee’s season. The football icon marks each weekly Game Ball winner; it’s recognition, not a physical football. The weekly prize is dinner at Aubrey’s.

Farris becomes the first name on our season record:

🏈 Week 1 — Virginia Farris — Tennessee 56, Furman 10

Next up: Can you beat our writers?

Beginning with Tennessee at Georgia Tech, several KnoxTNToday writers will make their predictions alongside our readers. Beat the Writers is for fun and bragging rights and does not change how the Game Ball winner is selected.

The reader with the best prediction will still win dinner at Aubrey’s. On Monday, we’ll also tell you which KnoxTNToday writer came closest and whether our readers beat the home team.

Watch KnoxTNToday Friday when we open predictions for Tennessee at Georgia Tech.

Friday: Make your pick. Saturday: Watch the Vols. Monday: Meet the winner.

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. The KnoxTNToday Game Ball is a KnoxTNToday reader promotion and is not affiliated with or sponsored by the University of Tennessee.

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our free newsletter. Comments may be sent to news@knoxtntoday.com.