Virginia Military Institute (3-3, 1-2 SoCon) at No. 8 UTC (6-1, 4-1)
2 p.m. > Finley Stadium, Chattanooga
96.1 FM/SoCon Digital Network
THE MATCHUP
VMI's defense ranks last in the Southern Conference and 115th out of 122 Football Championship Subdivision teams against the pass, allowing 295.7 yards per game. The Mocs will be looking for opportunities possibly to tilt the Keydets off balance with short throws early, only to spring deep passes by Alejandro Bennifield to big-play threats in C.J. Board and Xavier Borishade, as well as James Stovall through the seam.
ONE TO WATCH
With Derrick Craine hobbled, it's "next man up" for the Mocs, and that guy is junior Richardre Bagley. His season high of carries is 16 against Mercer when Craine was first injured, and he should get his first crack at being the featured back today against a solid Keydets run defense. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder has 195 yards on 49 attempts, with a season-long 55-yard run against Presbyterian in the second week of the season.
IN THE END
Contrary to outside belief, UTC's season didn't end last week in the loss to The Citadel. The Mocs still are good - really good - and perhaps a little upset that some people are writing them off after a road loss to a top-10 team in the country. The Keydets will battle early, but expect a big second quarter to get over a small hangover and a healthy victory by the superior team.
Prediction
UTC 49, VMI 20