By: Justin Hawkins
The Tennessee Volunteers showed no mercy against UCONN as they won 59-3 on Homecoming last Saturday. Now, after a mingle with UCONN, the Vols switch back to SEC East play and go on the road in a big matchup with the #14 Missouri Tigers.
Last Time Out
Tennessee
The Tennessee Volunteers, on Homecoming, laid the hammer on the University of Connecticut as they go on to win 59-3.
The only three points Tennessee allowed came late in the first quarter, but then locked it down the rest of the game. The Vols ended up playing all three of the their quarterbacks Saturday, but Joe Milton had the bulk of the game playing the entire first half. Milton went 11-of-14 for 254 yards and two touchdowns as well as adding two rushes for seven yards and a touchdown. The first three touchdowns in the game, Milton had his hand on it.
The Vols played a complete game as they out gained UCONN 650 yards to 256, won the turnover battle 3-0, and scored 8 total touchdowns.
The Vols rushing attack continued their success with 275 yards on the ground led by Jaylen Wright who had 113 yards and a touchdown.
On defense, the Vols had three touchdowns coming in the way of a 24-yard fumble scoop and score by Tyler Baron in the first half, and then back-to-back interceptions for touchdowns to open the second half by Jaylen McCollough and Aaron Beasley.
Missouri
The Missouri Tigers went on the road to face the number two ranked Georgia Bulldogs and battled to the end, but eventually fell 30-21 and their second loss of the season.
The Tigers held an early second half lead over the bulldogs 13-10, but Georgia responded with two straight touchdown drives. Midway through the fourth quarter, Georgia leading 27-21, Missouri had the ball and quarterback Brady Cook, 14/30 for 212 yards and a touchdown as well as two interceptions, through an interception that would prove to put the game out of reach. Georgia got three points out of it, and the next possession Cook would throw another pick.
Missouri, against a stingy Georgia run defense, rushed for 151 yards led by senior running back Cody Schrader who had 112 yards rushing and a touchdown. Wide receiver Luther Burden III had the lone touchdown catch for the Tigers. Receiver Theo Wease Jr. led the Tigers with 3 catches for 90 yards.
Missouri’s defense allowed 385 yards, 254 passing and 131 rushing, to Georgia’s offense. Bulldog quarterback Carson Beck looked like one of the best quarterback’s in the SEC with his 21/32 254 yard passing and two touchdown performance. Beck led the Bulldogs in crucial situations and kept Georgia undefeated.
The Matchup
All-time the Tennessee Volunteers and Missouri Tigers have met eleven times and the Vols lead the series 6-5. They last met in November a year ago in which Tennessee dominated at home winning 66-24.
The Tigers are a sneaky good team this season but are turning heads across the nation. Their two losses came to LSU in a shootout in early October and last week in Georgia. Missouri is a pesky team that will fight to the end and are solid across the board. They are led by junior quarterback Brady Cook that can take care of the football and sling it with the best of them. Missouri averages 284.9 passing yards per game which is 23rd in the country. The Tigers can also run the ball effectively 149.2 yards/game behind senior Cody Schrader.
This game will be a Missouri offense vs. Tennessee defense. The Vols like to create havoc and pressure the quarterback, but that allows opportunities on the back end. Cook and the Missouri receivers could take advantage of that if the opportunity presents itself.
For Tennessee, their rushing attack continues to be tops in the SEC and top 3 in the nation. They average 227.8 yards per game and average 5.77 yards per rush. Missouri is allowing 114.3 rush yards per game to opposing offenses. It will be important to establish the run.
Tennessee’s secondary will have their work cut out for them covering the like of Theo Wease Jr., Mookie Cooper, and Luther Burden. But, Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz is concerned of Burden’s status for Saturday.
Game Information
#13 Tennessee Volunteers @ #14 Missouri Tigers
Time: November 11 @ 2:30 PM CDT
Location: Memorial Stadium (Columbia, MO)
TV Broadcast: CBS
TV Broadcast Crew: Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson, Jenny Dell
Radio: Vol Network (104-5 The Zone)
Radio Broadcast: Bob Kesling, Pat Ryan
Line: TENN -1.0
Over/Under: 58.5
Things To Watch
Stop With The Penalties
The Vols are one of the worst teams in the country with committing penalties. One of the biggest downfalls through ten games is the pre-snap penalties and holding calls that force Tennessee behind the sticks. A little bit of discipline can go a long way playing on the road against a tough Missouri team.
Cooking Up The Pressure
Missouri quarterback Brady Cook has played well this season and can sling the ball with anyone. Tennessee has a stout defensive front and can create havoc on almost any offensive line in the country. Tennessee needs to win the line of scrimmage Saturday and affect Brady Cook.
Rush To Success
Tennessee has the third best rushing offense in the country and has become such a crucial part in how they win games this season. Missouri does well defensively shutting down the run, but the Vols needs to establish Jaylen Wright and Dylan Sampson early and gain the momentum.
Hostile Environment
Missouri does not have the biggest stadium, holding 61,000 people, but they do have some loud and rowdy fans that can disrupt the opposing offense. Tennessee needs to come prepared to deal with rowdy fans and avoid the mental mistakes such as pre-snap penalties. Getting off to a hot start could be just what the doctor ordered to quiet the Mizzou crowd.
