KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Vol Walk kick-started the game on Saturday with thousands of hyped fans embracing the Big Orange team.
Neyland Stadium saw huge crowds as the game sold out, and businesses around the area hosted watch parties.
Joseph Smith, the owner of Half Barrel, said it's only the beginning of the season. He's a huge fan and has been to many Vol games.
"We got a good crowd for people watching the game. And then it was pretty much on the rest of the night," Smith said. "I am kind of old. The first game I went to I forget the year it was very early 70s. It was Joe Paterno with Penn State came and played us."
Yet as the years change, so does the game.
From security and new technology, to even how people dress has changed according to Smith. Smith said a range of events in the past few decades have contributed to this change: from the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the conflict in the Middle East and even the coronavirus pandemic.
"It changed everything and our world, the United States has changed, and stadiums are where large gatherings could be, obviously, potential huge targets for people who really want to do something," Smith said. "The ticketing, the way they do the ticketing now and the phones and, you know, that seems to be very secure."
Another fan, Peyton King, said with tens of thousands of people in Neyland Stadium, security is as good as it gets.
UT Athletics said to avoid some of those waits, attendees should enter through Gate 21 on the west side of the stadium. There's more space there because of construction and an expanding student section.
But fans say no matter how crowded it is, they still love to support the Volunteers and that the wait is worth it. Especially if the Vols win.
"With so many people. I mean, like you got like 100,000 people in there. I don't see what they could do to make it any better without it being like, a longer wait," King said. "If you've seen the last 15 years of Tennessee football, you'll know that that's a miracle."
Matthew Kuick watched the game with his girlfriend, Norah Vinopal.
"I thought they're gonna play a lot better, but they got the win, so I guess that's all that matters," he said.
Tickets were a bit higher this season, Vinopal said. They were looking for something affordable and all they could find were $90 seats for "nosebleeds."
They decided, however, to enjoy the game at a watch party.
"We went to a brewery and it was packed and a lot of everybody was involved and there's good energy there," Vinopal said.
But that energy soon changed.
"It was a little underwhelming at first, I would say," Kuick said. "The offense didn't look too good. At the beginning, the defense looked really well. A lot of fans around us were pretty, like, you know, everyone's head was down, and they're a little kind of stressed out, but I thought they're gonna pull it out eventually."
Some fans are staying optimistic and are now looking at what the future may hold for the Vols.
"I hope next week that will be Florida away and then from now on, just like have a good season overall and beat Bama again," Vinopal said. "Because I think all fans as a whole are tired of Bama ruining the SEC."
Matthew hopes to see the team do better and is making some predictions.
"I think that as long as their offense gets improved, that's the big thing. Their defense did really well. Their offense just seems to be a little more consistent," Kuick said. "I think they easily can go 10 into 11 and make a great bowl game."