MARS HILL AT NO. 10 UTC
1 p.m. ' Finley Stadium, Chattanooga ' 96.1 FM/SoCon Digital Network (online)
THE MATCHUP
Mars Hill's offensive line against the front four of the Mocs. Defensive ends Vantrel McMillan and Keionta Davis spent a lot of time in the backfield against Jacksonville State last week. If they have similar success this afternoon and tackles Josh Freeman and Taylor Reynolds also perform well, Mars Hill quarterbacks Matt Layman and Austin Brown will be limited in the time they have to find the Lions' big-play threats on the outside.
ONE TO WATCH
This could be Davis' coming-out party as a starter. That might have already happened a week ago, when he had three tackles for loss and a sack against the Gamecocks, but the Lions shouldn't present the same type of challenge on the line, which could lead to a big day defensively for the 6-foot-4, 260-pound junior.
IN THE END
The Mocs need a win, and they need to win convincingly. The offense could use a big game, and the same can be said for the defense as it prepares for a serious test at Samford next week in the Southern Conference opener. The defensive line will have four sacks, and the offense will create some big plays to atone for a poor performance last week.
PREDICTION
UTC 42, Mars Hill 7
- Gene Henley