By: The All Vol Call in Show Staff
20221111
For the first time this season, the (5)Tennessee Volunteers tasted defeat. A sloppy game against the (1)Georgia Bulldogs saw the Vols fall 27-13, relinquishing the top spot in the rankings to the Bulldogs. However, with three games remaining and Tennessee still in control of its own playoff destiny, there's no time to dwell on the past. A Senior Day matchup with ailing Missouri could provide the perfect opportunity for an emphatic bounce back game.
John Dunn
Founder, Managing Editor, Host
I would not want to be a Missouri Tigers' football player this weekend coming into Neyland Stadium. Tennessee is coming off of its first loss of the season, and these guys are going to be angry and hungry; a potent combination for the most prolific offense in the country.
Tennessee is currently favored by 20.5, and to be honest, I would be surprised if they don't win by 30+. Missouri's defense has played fairly well this season, and have been in some big games, such as the Georgia game. However, with the 99th ranked offense, I just don't see any way the Tigers keep up. At all.
Prediction: Tennessee - 52 | Missouri - 13
Dallas Bowlin
Senior Staff Writer
So far, Tennessee has handled the weaker teams on its schedule with ease under Josh Heupel. Last season against Missouri, the Vols put up 62 points, and Hendon Hooker threw for three touchdowns. Missouri’s defense is better this season, in fact, it may be decent, but it’s not better than Kentucky’s, who Tennessee put up 44 points on and even left some points on the
field. The Vols roll to a decisive victory.
Prediction: Tennessee - 57 | Missouri - 10
Jake Hubbard
Junior Staff Writer
Josh Heupel, Hendon Hooker, and the Vols have a lot to prove in the last three games of the season. Missouri comes into this one with a stout defense, some quality wins, and a close loss against the top ranked Georgia Bulldogs. Tennessee got handled by Georgia last week on the road, and I see a big-time statement game coming on Saturday.
I look for the Vols to press the issue this week and show the CFP Committee that they are worthy of a playoff slot. I anticipate a big bounceback game by Hooker and this offense. Missouri is a good team and has played good defense on the year. However, this Tennessee team is on a mission... and the Tigers aren't going to get in their way.
Vols win big.
Prediction: Tennessee - 45 | Missouri - 17
William Allen
Senior Staff Writer
In SEC play, Missouri hasn’t allowed more than 26 points per game. This includes the #1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs, who dismantled Tennessee last saturday 27-13. There’s a hangover in Knoxville after playing the Dawgs and deservedly so. The players and coaches were outmatched, but this weekend's game versus Missouri will present a mental challenge.
Missouri needs to win two of its final three games to become bowl eligible. The Tigers were ranked 105th nationally in total defense last season but have drastically improved to 13th this year through nine games. Despite the improvements and the extension coach Drinkwits received, Tennessee needs style points and a win to move up in the college football playoff standings.
Hendon Hooker has returned to the No. 2 spot in the Heisman standings following the Georgia game. Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud is #1 and USC quarterback Caleb Williams is fourth. If there’s any hope of Tennessee making it to the post-season playoffs, remaining undefeated in the last three games is a priority.
Prediction: Tennessee - 38 | Missouri - 23
Joe Davis
Junior Staff Writer
One of the top exports in Missouri is airplane parts, and the Missouri air game is an example of this. They have a receiver that could absolutely stretch the UT secondary in Luther Burden, but the "Show Me stat(e)" is that he is NOT their leading receiver. Dominic Leverett has 45 receptions and 600+ yards. Tennessee needs to come out firing and bury them deep under an Ozark-sized Mountain of points. Make a statement and put yourself back in playoff consideration. I think they do. The Vols are a one-week-at-a-time team and I believe that the Tigers will have 100% focus from Josh Heupel's squad. The playoff push begins Saturday.
Prediction: Tennessee - 44 | Missouri - 24
Zack Troutt
Junior Staff Writer
Will Tennessee have a Georgia hangover, or will it keep their hopes CFP hopes alive? This team has proven it takes no opponent lightly and will need to do the same when Missouri comes to Knoxville this Saturday. The Tigers have a stingy defense, but they are nowhere near as talented as what the Vols faced last week in Athens.
I’m keeping this prediction short and sweet; Tennessee will roll Missouri in the senior’s last hoorah in Neyland Stadium. They’re going to come out on fire, and they’ll prove they belong in the college football playoff. Hooker puts himself back on top of the Heisman race and puts up over 400 yards this week in a rout similar to last year’s game.
Prediction: Tennessee - 56 | Missouri - 17
Zac Strickland
Junior Staff Writer
The one thing Missouri does well as a team that I think is important to monitor in this game is that they defend the run. Georgia was able to put Tennessee in uncomfortable downs and distances because they limited the Vols to a measly 2.2 yards per carry. Although the Tigers don’t have the elite talent that UGA does, the weather is calling for a downpour. Since rain tends to affect downfield passing, it will be imperative that the Tennessee ground game is much better vs Missouri than it was the week prior. This may be a game where UT can manufacture points using defense and special teams, especially against a Mizzou offense that has struggled for most of the season. And besides, it’s not like the Vols potent offense is just going to be completely shut down either.
Prediction: Tennessee - 37 | Missouri - 14
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