Quarterbacks
Missouri's James Franklin will be making his second start back from injury and is fairly healthy after what his coach described as a year from "hell," but he threw four interceptions last week against Florida and has yet to perform like he did in 2011. Tyler Bray is coming off what might be the two best games of his career. Edge: Tennessee.
Running backs
The Tigers are near the bottom of the nation in rushing yardage, but it's not for lack of trying. The loss of Franklin as an effective run option seems to have hampered the rest of Missouri's backfield. Tennessee starter Rajion Neal should be closer to 100 percent after two weeks off and a light week against Troy, but Marlin Lane continues to be a comparable replacement. Edge: Tennessee.
Wide receivers/tight ends
Tennessee receivers had a blast last week against Troy, with Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter combining for 400 yards alone. Missouri has fewer options, although mega-recruit Dorial Green-Beckham played well last week at Florida. Edge: Tennessee.
Offensive line
Last week was another dominating performance for Tennessee's offensive line. The unit contributed to Tyler Bray's record-setting day and his clean jersey. Injuries have wrecked Missouri's offensive line. The news got even worse last week when starting right tackle Justin Britt tore his ACL. Edge: Tennessee.
Defensive line
Missouri's Sheldon Richardson had six tackles, a fumble recovery and a blocked field goal against Florida. He's the team's top tackler and the defensive player most likely to single-handedly change the game. The Vols' defensive line must pull its weight today against what is weak Missouri offensive front. Edge: Missouri.
Linebackers
Missouri's Andrew Wilson and Will Ebner lead a unit that helps produce turnovers (Wilson has four fumble recoveries) and holds its own against the run. Tennessee's linebackers, thought to be a team strength earlier in the year, haven't been able to stop the bleeding on defense. Edge: Missouri.
Secondary
Just when you thought the Vols' secondary couldn't get any worse, last week's game against Troy proved otherwise. Tennessee has shuffled personnel to no avail, and it's unclear what this week's changes will hold. Edge: Missouri.
Special teams
Missouri's Marcus Murphy has a 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and three punt returns for touchdowns. The downside of those big plays for Murphy is that the Vols will do everything they can to keep the ball out of his hands. Edge: Missouri.
Coaching
The inaugural SEC season hasn't gone the way Missouri coach Gary Pinkel envisioned, but he has a long track record of success at the school. Tennessee's defensive coaching staff is juggling new responsibilities after last week's disaster. Edge: Missouri.
Intangibles
This is a tough one, as Missouri is coming off an encouraging loss, while Tennessee is coming off a discouraging win. The Vols have home-field advantage, but empty seats don't make as much noise. Edge: Even.
Pick
Tennessee 31, Missouri 30
The good news for Tennessee's defense is that there's nowhere to go but up. Allowing only 500 yards would be cause for celebration. If the Vols' offense keeps churning out touchdowns, the defense won't have to improve much.
Oregon sends Lady Vols home from…
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Comments » 13
CoverOrange writes:
Since Evan didn't say anything about Missouri's secondary, I'm going to assume they are ordinary. UT's OL should neutralize Sheldon, the focal point will be MO's LB play and turnovers. For UT's defense, containing Franklin or moreover sacking him will be key. 42-35 Vols.
vq4nfo writes:
38 points in the last 3 games for Missouri's offense. I would venture to say they get that many points tomorrow in a single game against UT. Just hope the fans show up if any are still willing to witness another heartbreaker.
VolzsFan writes:
IT'S BASKETBALL TIME IN TENNESSEE!!!! THAT SAD FALL PASTIME HAS GOT US TO THIS. WHO CARES ABOUT UT'S SAD FOOTBALL?
TELL ME ABOUT KENNESAW STATE'S MATCH UP.
PUL4VOLS writes:
A clean and solid game by the offense and they win. If the offense does its job even in a shootout, the Vols win. Who knows maybe the d will step up. In any event, it's almost time and I hope they all step up including the coaching. GO BIG ORANGE!
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
Actually, they scored 50 in their last three games.
Last time they played an offense anywhere near comparable to ours was when they gave up 41 points to Georgia. A couple of weeks ago they gave up 42 to Alabama's #48 offense. I think we can take them.
6972 writes:
Edge to Mo at Defensive line. LB, secondary, sp. teams and coaching. At least our waterboy is considered better than theirs.
Intangibles: noiseless crowd, empty seats
I wish Mo was walking into Neyland stadium as it was several years back when it was intimidating. I'll not forget the first time I took my youngest son to a game. He was a civil engineering student and he was so impressed with the stadium. I had told him how loud the noise would be and I think he thought I was exagerating. The game was against Bama and from the time they ran through the T, you could not hear the person next to you. We kicked Bamas butt that night. Oh, how I long for those days to return.
10seVol85_Part_Deux writes:
Explain the edge in special teams to Mizzou again. I'm a little weak on that one.
CP is the SEC's leading kick returner.
We lead the SEC in FG kicking (believe it or not).
We lead them all the kickoff categories (as the kicking team).
They're ahead of us by less than a yard in punting.
They lead us in punt returns.
We allow a few inches more per kick return, while they allow about a yard-and-a-half more per punt return.
We've blocked 2 kicks/punts, while they've blocked 1.
So, tell me again, why do they get the edge in special teams. It seems pretty dang even to me.
utbaby#215635 writes:
Glad to finally see some talk and hopefully effort to shake up the defense. Should probably rotate d coordinator each week until someone comes up with a better scheme. Granted the d backs haven't played well and none of the d line can rush the QB but the alignments are horrible. The draw play Troy kept hitting was 6 blockers on 5 defenders in the box. Go figure they hit that play all day. Time to line up 4 lineman and pressure the QB. May mean McCullers only plays on 1st downs. I'd rather see the DB's get beat 1:1 than play a soft zone and give 5-10 yds every pass. Lets hope the change is for the better.
ACWLY writes:
And you think some fans didn't know that????
Tennessee will have the Offensive edge on many of the teams we play but will not have the DEFENSIVE EDGE on ANY team we play. It's a no brainer, we've watched the games!...I'd say Missouri, Vandy and even UK can't wait to line up against Sunseri's Power 3-4 Defense.... KNS must be hurting for something to write about.
stormblast writes:
I do agree with everything but the score.
Tennessee Offense - 63
Missouri Offense - 62
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Hopefully Sal and some others will be in the booth and it may help but the glaring wholes in the middle from bad alignments can be seen from everywhere and you can bet Franklin is gonna be seeing plenty of QB draws..We have a chance if theOLine protects and the defense stops giving up first downs on 3rd and 16..
tovolny writes:
Lets kick the ball off and see what happens.
Is this a new concept , or what?
GOJO writes:
Evan Woodbery: Matchups give edge to Tennessee on offense, Missouri on defense
Thanks for pointing out the obvious.
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