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APPALACHIAN STATE (0-0) AT NO. 9 TENNESSEE (0-0)
7:30 p.m. * Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. * SEC Network/106.5 FM
Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd runs three yards for a touchdown against Northwestern during the third quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Jan. 1, 2016, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)THE MATCHUP
During its 11-2 season in 2015 Appalachian State relied on the tried and true method of combining a strong running game with a stout defense. The Mountaineers ranked sixth nationally in rushing behind 1,423-yard running back Marcus Cox and finished 11th nationally in total defense.
In its opener a year ago Tennessee faced the opposite in Bowling Green, which featured a high-octane passing game and a matador defense, and won by 29 points. Appalachian State coach Scott Satterfield compared the style and skill of Tennessee's offense to Clemson, which beat the Mountaineers 41-10 the second game of last season.
"They have everything in place," Satterfield said, "and in my opinion, starting the season, they're ahead of where Clemson was last year."
The Mountaineers will try to limit possessions, so it's important Tennessee's offense is efficient.
ONE TO WATCH
The start of a new season makes it difficult to pick just one player to watch. From promising freshmen like Nigel Warrior or Tyler Byrd and potential breakout stars like Darrin Kirkland Jr. or Preston Williams to a focused Jalen Hurd, a slimmer Kahlil McKenzie or the quietly consistent Micah Abernathy - plenty of players deserve watching.
Yet if Tennessee is truly going to be elite on defense this season, it will start up front with a talented and deep defensive line. The Vols believe seven defensive ends are deserving of snaps, and the recovery of Shy Tuttle and reinstatement of Alexis Johnson have bolstered the interior. "We've got some studs," defensive end Derek Barnett said.
"I think we're going to be very good. We've got a lot of great D-linemen who are going to be dominant ball players." How will Tennessee's strongest position start the season?
Tennessee's Derek Barnett (9) wraps up Vanderbilt's Ralph Webb (7). The Vanderbilt Commodores visited the Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action November 28, 2015.IN THE END
Everyone remembers when Appalachian State upset Michigan in 2007, and Tennessee assistant coaches Mike DeBord and Steve Stripling actually were on staff with the Wolverines then. The recent history of both teams in this kind of game suggests there won't be a repeat.
The Vols played tricky opponents from outside the power conferences in Western Kentucky (2013), Utah State (2014) and Bowling Green (2015) and beat the trio, which combined for 28 wins those seasons, by 92 points.
In games against Georgia, Michigan and Clemson the past three years, Appalachian State wasn't competitive. Last season 88 yards of offense and three interceptions in the first half doomed the Mountaineers as Clemson had the game in hand at halftime.
Appalachian State's pedigree of success and experience are enough to push Tennessee, but if the Vols are sharp, they shouldn't struggle.
PREDICTION: TENNESSEE 38, APPALACHIAN STATE 10