College football fans have torn into a bizarre rendition of the national anthem ahead of No. 1 Texas and No. 14 Tennessee's clash at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.

The pre-game performance quickly sparked a ridicule just before kickoff, souring what was supposed to be a patriotic prelude ahead of Donald Trump's arrival.

ESPN's College GameDay broadcast paused its closing segments to spotlight the pregame spectacle, which featured a roaring flyover with two F-35 Lightning fighter jets and a KC-135 Stratotanker over the packed 101,915-seat venue.

However, the singer’s delivery of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' left viewers at home thoroughly unimpressed, with many roasting the performance.

'This Tennessee national anthem is the most unserious thing I’ve ever heard,' one exasperated fan wrote on X.

'What was that national anthem in Knoxville,' another puzzled viewer asked.

A third user quickly piled on, questioning the delivery: 'What was happening during that Tennessee national anthem? Gotta sing or play it, can not do both yikes..'

Shortly after the action got underway, Trump was met with roaring cheers from college football fans after jetting in for the SEC showdown.

Trump appeared on the stadium's colossal jumbotron shortly after midday local time, sending the sellout crowd of more than 101,000 into a wild frenzy.

Dressed in a dark suit and red tie, the president acknowledged the thunderous ovation by smiling and repeatedly pumping his fist from inside a luxury suite.

He was seated alongside prominent political ally and Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, who was sporting bright Volunteer orange for the occasion.

His arrival capped off an electric pre-game buildup that began in the skies over Knoxville, when Air Force One treated fans to a flyover above Neyland Stadium.

The presidential aircraft touched down at nearby McGhee Tyson Airport at 11.39am, with Trump descending stairs branded 'Tennessee Air National Guard' and 'Volunteers' before his heavily fortified motorcade swept onto campus.

His entourage for the high-stakes matchup included Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Tennessee Senator Bill Hagerty and local Representative Tim Burchett.

The commander-in-chief's presence brought an immense security operation to the University of Tennessee campus, with stadium gates thrown open at 9am to allow the US Secret Service to process the massive crowd through security checkpoints.

Secret Service agents, tactical teams and K-9 units maintained a visible perimeter around the stadium concourses and sidelines throughout the morning.

More to follow...