NO. 25 TENNESSEE vs. INDIANA STATE
4 p.m. ‘ Neyland Stadium in Knoxville ‘ SEC Network & 106.5 FM
THE MATCHUP
Indiana State enters with an 0-1 record under first-year coach Curt Mallory following a 22-20 opening loss to Eastern Illinois. The Sycamores played two quarterbacks – Cade Sparks and Isaac Harker – in the game, but their offense came from LeMonte Booker. The 5-foot-11 redshirt senior running back ran for 154 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries in front of 4,670 fans. Booker told the Terre Haute Tribune-Star this week, “We’re excited for the challenge ahead.” In its last matchup with a Football Bowl Subdivision foe, Indiana State played in front of 41,026 fans and fell 58-28 at Minnesota last season. Saturday’s home opener for Tennessee at Neyland Stadium easily will double that attendance figure, forcing the Sycamores to stay poised if they want to stay in the game. Tennessee would like to win without sweating too much after having just a few days to recover from Monday’s 42-41 season-opening win over Georgia Tech.
ONES TO WATCH
Watch Tennessee’s defensive front six and see how many players the coaches are willing to rotate at defensive line and linebacker while the game is still close. The starters at those positions played more snaps on Monday than the staff would like. Developing depth in those groups will be key to keeping the Volunteers healthy, fresh and fast in the fourth quarter of games later this season. Freshman defensive end Deandre Johnson and freshman linebacker Will Ignont are two players the staff probably would like to try against the Sycamores, though the hope is certainly that a host of young players will get their first-game experience if Tennessee can create a big lead. Tennessee also needs wide receivers to step up. With Jauan Jennings out and Latrell Williams, Tyler Byrd and Josh Smith all considered questionable for the game, there are just six healthy scholarship receivers. Three of them are freshmen.
IN THE END
Coming off a rare Monday game and with a trip to Florida looming ahead, some might consider this a trap game for Tennessee. Indiana State simply lacks the firepower to hang with a Southeastern Conference opponent this season. It’s a program seemingly on the rise with a first-year coaching staff consisting of several former Michigan assistants, but the Sycamores will be lucky to stay within striking distance after halftime. Tennessee will get to test-drive redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, possibly even before halftime, and get a young group of reserve running backs and wide receivers plenty of work. All the while, the Vols will hope to limit the plays of defensive starters still recuperating from the Georgia Tech battle. Expect to hear plenty of “Rocky Top” from the Pride of the Southland Band on what is expected to be a sunny Saturday afternoon in Knoxville.
PREDICTION
Tennessee 52, Indiana State 17