ESPN’s Stephen A Smith thinks the game time for Tennessee Vols vs Texas Longhorns will be changed
Tennessee is currently scheduled to kick off against Texas at noon on September 26.
If you’re a Tennessee Vols fan who was watching ESPN on Thursday morning, you may have heard an interesting comment from Stephen A. Smith.
Country music superstar and noted Vols fan Kenny Chesney joined First Take on Thursday while doing press for his recently announced tour.
While on set, Chesney was asked about Tennessee’s upcoming game against Texas.
The Vols are scheduled to play the Longhorns in Neyland Stadium at 12:00 PM ET on ABC on September 26.
Chesney, despite being a Vols fan, was unsure of what time the game is set to kick off.
When he was informed that it’s a noon game, Smith immediately chimed in and said he thinks they’ll change the game time.
“I think they’ll change it,” said Smith of the scheduled noon start time. “I think they might change it. I think they might flex it. I’m serious.”
South Carolina at Alabama is scheduled to be played on ESPN at 7:00 PM ET on September 26.
Texas A&M at LSU is scheduled for 7:30 PM ET on ABC on September 26.
I don’t know if ESPN is even in a position to make a change to the game time. These start times were announced months ago. I would think it’s unlikely that the game time gets changed, but Smith is one of ESPN’s highest-paid employees. He’s either talking out of turn, or he knows something we don’t.
One thing to consider is that Knoxville makes the most sense for College GameDay in Week 4 (ESPN was just in Baton Rouge for the season opener). Texas will be ranked No. 1, and there are obviously plenty of great storylines with the Arch Manning/Peyton Manning connection. And logistically, it would be easier for GameDay if the game is at night (otherwise they probably would have to finish the show inside the stadium as the game is kicking off, which means having two sets).
I don’t know if Stephen A. Smith is the best source on this, so I wouldn’t hold my breath that the game time will get changed — even though it makes absolutely zero sense for this game to be played at noon. I think most Vols fans agree that this game should absolutely be a prime time game.
