Friends, this weekend feels different.

No, I’m not just talking about the cooler temperatures since it’s fall now (Thank you Jesus, I was sick of the “Satan’s Asshole” temperatures we’ve had all summer). I’m talking about this weekend’s big game in college football between the number 1 Texas Longhorns and my beloved Tennessee Vols.

It’s not just that this will be true freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon’s first real SEC test. It’s not just that it’s the #1 and the #14 teams in the country facing off to see who’s better. It’s not even that the President will be in town in all of his own personal orange glory.

This is basically the movie “300” in real life, friends.

Yes, Texas is the best team in the country right now. Yes, the Longhorns just beat Ohio State in what should be a defining moment for that program’s season last week. Yes, they have a Manning slinging the football for them.

But to steal a quote from Leonidas: THIS…IS…KNOXVILLE!

So many factors are interesting in this matchup, dear readers. For one, this is the first time Texas will come to Neyland Stadium, a place Steve Sarkisian officially declared the loudest stadium in the country. It’s also the first time Arch Manning, Texas’ golden boy, has ever been to Knoxville.

I don’t think he’s ready. Arch is 2-3 in true road games at this point. He took Ls last year from Ohio State, Georgia, and Florida (Seriously, folks, fucking FLORIDA).

Meanwhile, Coach Heupel is 10-1 in noon games at this point in his career as steward of Tennessee Football.

He’s been extremely coy this week about starters, plans, the works. This will be a big test for the Volunteers, no doubt. And I think they know it.

It’s also the first big test of Jim Knowles’ defense since the former Penn State coordinator came to us after the shit canning of Tim Banks last year. And I have a suspicion Uncle Jim has been preparing his boys to really come swinging this game.

Dare I say an upset is brewing? I don’t really know at this point. I’ve talked enough shit about the Vols here to where I hesitate to sling that word around.

I do know Arch Manning and Texas are about to walk into a stadium where the noise is louder than a KISS concert. A place Baker Mayfield said no one on his team at Oklahoma could hear the snap count when rowdy fans got going.

And that Arch doesn’t seem to perform well under pressure. And Arch is going to a place where his uncle is considered a saint. That poor young man is going into a place where he’s not the favorite Manning. He’ll get booed out of his cleats before he plays his first snap.

Plus the President’s in town. And we’ve got Game Day in Knoxville for the next two days.

It’s the biggest stage these two teams have arguably played on all season, and Texas has more to lose than Tennessee does.

Okay, yes. Texas has the money. Texas has arguably the better team right now. But Tennessee’s spoiling for a fight and they want to shock the world.

Do you honestly think that makes them less dangerous or more dangerous for Texas at this point?

I think the analogy lands pretty firmly with the movie “300.” Texas is Xerxe’s Persian empire. They want to dazzle us with their size, awe, and expertise.

But we’re Tennessee, dammit. This is our chance to show the world what we can do when everyone’s doubting us. And THIS…IS…ROCKY TOP!

Get the popcorn and be ready to watch football at noon Eastern on Saturday, folks.

This one’s going to be good.

See y’all next week. Hopefully with a Vol win.