TENNESSEE (2-1) vs. MASSACHUSETTS (0-4)
Noon * Neyland Stadium in Knoxville * SEC Network & 106.5 FM
THE MATCHUP
This game should provide a nice confidence boost for Tennessee’s defensive line. Massachusetts is allowing a national-worst 5.75 sacks per game. Despite bleak pass protection, throwing the football is the strength of the Minutemen offense. Quarterback Andrew Ford is averaging 301 yards passing and has tossed six touchdowns with just one interception this season. “He’s an NFL prospect and it shows,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said this week. Ford’s top target is tight end Adam Breneman, a Penn State transfer who has 369 yards on 24 catches this year. The UMass defense has allowed opponents to have big games passing (391 yards against Hawaii in week one) and running (345 yards against Coastal Carolina the next week). Tennessee and UMass have never met, and the Vols would like to begin the series without the drama the Minutemen provided Florida and South Carolina last season when they played both those teams close on the road.
ONES TO WATCH