Tennessee Football is breaking out new Dark Mode uniforms for next week’s Top 20 rivalry showdown against Kentucky in Neyland Stadium. It’s the first time that we’ve seen the all-black threads this season, and it’ll be their adidas debut.

This will be the seventh time that Tennessee has gone Dark Mode in the Josh Heupel era. The Vols originally debuted the new line of uniforms in 2021, but it wasn’t until the 2022 season that the complete look came together with the helmets, jerseys, and pants. Tennessee wore the uniforms twice during the 2021 season and once in each season since.

Here’s a look at Tennessee’s full history in the Dark Mode threads:

Record: 4-2

• 2021: Win vs. South Carolina (45-20)
• 2021: Loss vs. No. 1 Georgia (41-17)
• 2022: Win vs. No. 19 Kentucky (44-6)
• 2023: Win vs. South Carolina (41-20)
• 2024: Win vs. Kentucky (28-18)
• 2025: Loss vs. No. 18 Oklahoma (33-27)
• 2026: TBD vs. No. 9 Kentucky

The debut of the black uniforms came in 2021 against South Carolina. Behind Hendon Hooker, the Vols jumped out to a dominant start and finished strong to win 45-20. Later that year, Tennessee went back to the black uniforms against Georgia, but didn’t have the same success. Despite striking first, UGA powered past the Vols 41-17.

In 2022, there was an altercation to the uniform. While the black pants and jerseys remained the same, Tennessee was finally able to pair them with a black helmet. In both games in 2021, the Vols wore their typical white helmet with black accents added to it. That year, Tennessee debuted the new look against Kentucky and won 44-6.

In 2023, the Vols went to the ‘Dark Mode’ look with South Carolina in town. In a revenge game against the Gamecocks after they beat Tennessee on the road the year prior, the Vols won 41-20. In 2024, the Vols wore them against Kentucky and won 28-18.

In 2025, Tennessee fell to Oklahoma by a score of 33-27 as the Sooners gained a much-needed win on an eventual path to the College Football Playoffs.

No. 16 Tennessee and No. 9 Kentucky both have open dates this weekend. With an extra week of rest and prep, the Vols and Wildcats will square off in a Top 20 SEC showdown next Saturday night at 6:15 p.m. ET in Neyland Stadium.

Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for more Tennessee Football news, notes, and coverage.

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— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 30, 2026