Texas defeated Tennessee 20-17 on Saturday in what several outlets described as the Longhorns' SEC opener, according to multiple reports.
Coverage varied on how the game reflected on Texas, which has been ranked No. 1. CBS Sports described the team as a "paper tiger" and pointed to wild penalties and special teams blunders. Yahoo Sports similarly suggested Texas "may not have been on its best behavior" despite the win.
Fox Sports framed the outcome as a "dramatic" victory, offering takeaways from the contest without characterizing the team's ranking status.
USA Today reported on lessons learned about the Texas program following the win, without detailing specific criticisms raised by other outlets.
Yahoo Sports also noted that Texas A&M, a separate team, lost to LSU and fell to 0-2 in SEC play, though this was not a focus of other outlets' coverage.
How each side covered it
Left
- USA Today reported on five things learned about the Texas program after the win.
- Coverage centered on team performance and outlook following the SEC opener.
“Five things we learned about Texas after 20-17 win over Tennessee” — USA Today
Center
- CBS Sports described Texas as a "paper tiger," citing penalties and special teams blunders.
- Yahoo Sports questioned whether Texas deserved its No. 1 status despite winning.
- Yahoo Sports also reported that Texas A&M lost to LSU and is 0-2 in SEC play.
“No. 1 Texas is a paper tiger -- and we need player fines in college football” — CBS Sports
Right
- Fox Sports characterized the win as "dramatic" and offered four takeaways from the game.
- Coverage did not raise the same performance concerns noted by other outlets.
“4 Takeaways From Texas' Dramatic SEC Win Over Tennessee” — Fox Sports
Questions readers ask
What happened in the Texas-Tennessee game?
Texas defeated Tennessee 20-17 in what was reported as the Longhorns' SEC opener, according to CBS Sports and Fox Sports.
Why is there disagreement about Texas' performance?
Center-leaning outlets CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports pointed to penalties, special teams issues, and other concerns despite the win, while Fox Sports characterized the victory as "dramatic" without similar criticism.
What did left-leaning outlets focus on?
USA Today, a left-leaning outlet, focused on lessons learned about the Texas program following the win over Tennessee.
Is Texas still considered a top-ranked team?
Texas had been ranked No. 1, according to CBS Sports, though outlets differed on whether the win over Tennessee supported that ranking.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- USA TodayLeft-leaningTexas is best team in college football? You've gotta be kidding after that mess
- CBS SportsCenterWeek 4 overreactions: No. 1 Texas is a paper tiger -- and we need player fines in college football
- Yahoo SportsCenterTexas is best team in college football? You've gotta be kidding after that mess
- Fox SportsRight-leaning4 Takeaways From Texas' Dramatic SEC Win Over Tennessee