It's time we settle the debate: Which school – Tennessee or Texas – is the real UT?

The University of Texas at Austin is not quite orange enough and not quite southeastern enough that this should even be a debate. But as the Longhorns join the University of Tennessee at Knoxville in the Southeastern Conference this football season, fans of both programs are making the case for why their school should be considered the real "UT."

The SEC appeared to endorse the Volunteers when it referred to Tennessee as UT in a news release while referring to Texas simply as TEX. Conference seniority should matter, but Knox News looked elsewhere to settle the debate.

Read each story and tell us who's the winner by sending your thoughts to growth and development editor Ryan Wilusz at ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com . We just might share your perspective in a future story!

Tennessee vs. Texas: Which was the first SEC school to call itself UT?

While you could compare opening dates to determine which school was first, Texas and Tennessee have their own uniquely complicated pasts, with the latter going through multiple name changes before becoming known as UT.

Learn about the history of each university to see which school has the historical right to claim the name.

Full story: Was Tennessee or Texas the first to call itself UT? We look at each school's history

Tennessee vs. Texas: Pantone weighs in on the SEC's superior orange

On one side is Tennessee Orange, the in-your-face calling card of the Volunteers. On the other side is Texas' burnt orange, the mellower (duller?) hue of the Longhorns.

Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute, spoke with Knox News to help each fan base understand what their color represents on and off the field.

Full story: A Pantone color expert weighs in on the bright vs. burnt orange debate in the SEC

Tennessee vs. Texas: Lone Star State owes Volunteer State big time

Tennessee became a state in 1796. It would take nearly 50 more years − and the help of three Tennessee-raised men − for Texas to become Tennessee's younger sibling.

From the Alamo to statehood, the Lone Star State wouldn't be Texas without Tennessee.

Full story: Which SEC school is the real UT? Without Tennessee, Texas ain't Texas

Tennessee vs. Texas: Comparing stats, awards, celebrity fans and more

It makes sense that fans of both programs would anecdotally argue over the real UT, but numbers can help settle the debate objectively − unless, of course, you place higher value on higher quality titles, like the Pat Summitt-led women's basketball dynasty.

In addition to titles, this story compares Tennessee and Texas tuition costs, Nobel Prizes, celebrity fans and a whole lot more!

Full story: Comparing titles, celebrity fans, Nobel Prizes and more for each UT

Ryan Wilusz is the growth and development editor. Phone 865-317-5138. Email ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com. Instagram @knoxscruff.

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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: It's time we settle the debate: Which school – Tennessee or Texas – is the real UT?