TENNESSEE (1-4, 0-2 SEC) vs. MISSISSIPPI STATE (3-2, 1-1)
Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019
Noon at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville
VIDEO & RADIO
SEC Network & 106.5 FM
THE MATCHUP
For the second consecutive week, Tennessee will be tasked with trying to stop a potent rushing attack. In contrast to the Georgia Bulldogs, though, the Mississippi State Bulldogs’ running game is primarily predicated on a single back – junior Kylin Hill, who has five touchdown runs this season and leads the Southeastern Conference in both carries (108) and rushing yards (596). The Volunteers’ defensive front was continually pushed off the line of scrimmage last Saturday night as Georgia was able to run pretty much at will, averaging nearly 6 yards per rush. Generating some sort of pressure from the defensive front will allow Tennessee’s linebackers to be used more in making plays and not having to become part of a consistent blitz package meant to affect the Mississippi State backfield. If Tennessee can’t create pressure, it could be a long day again.
ONE TO WATCH
Freshman quarterback Brian Maurer wasn’t great in his first start last weekend, but he did have some great moments, such as the 73-yard touchdown to Marquez Callaway on the Vols’ second possession and the strike he threw to Jauan Jennings for the score that put the Vols up 14-10 in the second quarter. Although Maurer came back to reality shortly after putting up 205 passing yards in the first half – he had 54 in the second – there were enough moments for the Vols, their coaches and their fans to feel optimistic about what he can do going forward.
IN THE END
At no point this season have the Vols shown any level of consistency that would suggest they can compete against anybody for 60 minutes. Mississippi State was listed as a 6.5-point favorite on the road as of Friday, but the Vols have had enough hopeful moments to give reason to believe a winning effort is right around the corner. With top-ranked Alabama looming next week in Tuscaloosa, this game offers the far better option for a win against an SEC West opponent. Somehow, some way, the Vols will steal a win and end a six-game losing streak against FBS competition.
PREDICTION
Tennessee 30, Mississippi State 27
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @genehenley3 or at Facebook.com/VolsUpdate.