For the first time this season, the Tennessee Volunteers have to answer questions coming off a loss. The Vols host Missouri on Senior Day on Saturday looking to bounce back from a disappointing drubbing at the hands of now-top-ranked Georgia. Josh Heupel‘s squad just couldn’t get anything going in Athens last week and the Tigers will look to learn a thing or two from the Bulldogs’ defensive masterpiece.
While the Vols still have College Football Playoff aspirations, Missouri needs to win two of their last three to reach bowl eligibility. Missouri had won two in a row until a wild ending sealed their fate against Kentucky last week. While the Vols are still a national title contender, the Tigers are scrapping for a postseason berth. These are two teams in different places right now, and as the Vols host Missouri on Saturday, here are three things to look for.
Vols Host Missouri: Three Things To Look For
Missouri has done well in games where opponents have potentially overlooked them during the season. They played Georgia down to the final possession. They almost upset Kentucky last week. And they were one score away at Flordia. They seem to be masters of the noon games.
But Tennessee won’t be looking past them. Preparation and focus are the hallmarks of the Heupel Vols.
Take What Missouri Gives You
Missouri’s defense has talent. The problem for the Tigers is putting it all together. Missouri has stopped the run at times this year and they’ve tamped down opponents’ passing games this season as well. They just haven’t done both at the same time. They gave up 200-plus yards against Kansas State and Florida and another 169-yard rushing game to Georgia. In the air, they gave up 300-plus yard games to Louisiana Tech and Georgia and another 242 to a struggling Vanderbilt offense.
The strongest part of the Missouri defense is the line. Fifteen of Missouri’s 22 sacks are from the defensive line and linemen Isaiah McGuire and DJ Coleman are two of the top eight tacklers on the team. Missouri will likely make their stand up front — trying to stop Tennessee from establishing a running game and pressuring Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker. It’ll be up to the Tennessee front five to set the tone for this game.
What to Look For: Vols 150 yards Rushing and < 2 Sacks
Take Advantage of Missouri Miscues
Missouri hasn’t put together a really clean game all season. They average seven penalties for almost 60 yards per game. Missouri is losing the turnover margin on the season. And they’re only converting 76% of their field goals. The Tigers’ offense struggles in the red zone as well. The Tigers are converting only about half of their red zone possessions into touchdowns. Of the other half, they are converting half of those remaining possessions into field goals.
Facing a team like Tennessee, with the ability to strike quickly and strike often on offense, it’ll be important for the defense to take advantage of the two to three big mistakes that Missouri averages during a game. That’s right in line with Defensive Coordinator Tim Banks‘ aggressive style of play. Look for Banks to have Jeremy Banks and Trevon Flowers moving all over the field on Saturday trying to pressure (Banks) or confuse (Flowers) Missouri into adding to their long list of mistakes.
Missouri’s roughing the punter in the final minute of last week’s Kentucky game is a perfect example of how the Tigers continue to hurt themselves in key moments.
What to Look For: Win the turnover margin.
Bounce Back
Last week was the first time in Heupel’s tenure that the Vols looked unprepared to meet the moment. It’ll be telling if the Vols come out with a Georgia hangover or with a renewed spirit looking to reassert themselves in the national championship conversation.
The Vols have plenty to play for. They are ranked fifth in the CFP Poll and are still in a good position to make the Playoff. It’s Senior Day in Neyland Stadium. The team will want to put the scoreboard to the test one last time for the seniors. And they have receipts from Missouri Head Coach Eli Drinkwitz, one of the more vocal coaches in the SEC. Drinkwitz is not afraid to trade barbs with other SEC programs, even with a 15-17 (10-14 Conference) record at Missouri.
What to Look For: Vols execute and put the high-tempo offense into gear early and often.
Vols host Missouri: The Last Word
Tennessee’s collective maturity — led by a calm Heupel and a steady Hooker, is the key to this bounce-back game. The Vols get back to putting a good-but-not-great defense into conflict on every play. Look for Hooker to turn to the quick hits early to get some rhythm. The Vols’ defense attacks all day. And some breaks are made in the special teams.
Missouri is no match for a focused Tennessee team. This is one Drinkwitz won’t be talking about in the future.
Tennessee: 41
Missouri: 20
