OHIO (1-1) at NO. 15 TENNESSEE (2-0)
Noon * Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn. * SEC Network/106.5 FM
Tennessee defensive lineman Shy Tuttle (2) and Virginia Tech wide receiver Isaiah Ford (1) and running back Travon McMillian (34) looks for the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016 in Bristol, Tenn. Tuttle recovered the fumble. Tennessee won 45-24. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)THE MATCHUP
In its 12th year under former Nebraska coach Frank Solich, Ohio piled up 91 points and 1,126 yards of total offense in its first two games.
The level of the opponents - Texas State, which won in triple overtime as an 18-point underdog, was 3-9 in 2015 and Kansas is the worst power-conference team in the country - should be taken into account, but dual-threat quarterback Greg Windham and running back Papi White have Tennessee's attention.
Defensively the Vols settled in after a slow start and locked Virginia Tech up a week ago.
"We showed the plays and there's probably 120 yards of offense that we left on the field with the mistakes that we made things you just don't anticipate happening by players that we wouldn't expect that to happen to," defensive coordinator Bob Shoop said.
"They regrouped and to the players' credit, once we got the momentum back, boy, I thought we played pretty good in the second and third and most of the fourth quarters."
Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) passes to wide receiver Tyler Byrd, left, during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Bristol, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)ONE TO WATCH
The statistical rankings can be misleading this time of the season, but Ohio is 118th nationally in pass defense. Tennessee, which registered only 283 passing yards in its first two games of the season, should be able to impose its will on offense on the ground and through the air, but the Vols already are a little banged up at wide receiver with Josh Smith (ankle) doubtful and Preston Williams (hamstring) not 100 percent.
Tyler Byrd and some other newcomers will have to pick up the slack, as will Jauan Jennings, who snagged Tennessee's first touchdown on an end-zone fade last week.
"Extremely proud and happy and elated for him," receivers coach Zach Azzanni said. "I'm really excited for him, coming off an injury and getting to get in there and make that play. He wanted it, and I promised him he was going to have it this week and he was going to get it, and he got it. He made the most of it. We were happy with him."
Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd lines up behind linemen Brett Kendrick, right, and Jashon Robertson during last Saturday's win over Virginia Tech at Bristol Motor Speedway. Kendrick and Robertson have started both games this season, but there has been more rotating on the offensive line than previously under head coach Butch Jones.IN THE END
For Tennessee this game should be about exploring options at some positions and ironing out the kinks in others with Florida and the teeth of the SEC schedule around the corner.
How much will Tennessee tinker with their shaky offensive line? How does Colton Jumper handle his audition to be the long-term replacement for the injured Darrin Kirkland Jr.? Tennessee's secondary could be shorthanded, too, with Justin Martin and Malik Foreman iffy.
The Vols have talked all week about starting faster, and it'd behoove them to jump on Ohio, avoid late drama or more injuries and turn the page to the Gators.
"I don't think we're pleased how we're playing, especially at the start of the game," defensive line coach Steve Stripling said. "There's plenty to work on and plenty to keep their attention and focus on. We need to go out and perform well this weekend (against) a quality opponent."
PREDICTION: TENNESSEE 41, OHIO 21