The Tennessee Vols will be searching for their sixth win of the season on Saturday night when they take on the SEC East leading Missouri Tigers.
Missouri (8-2) is hoping to win the SEC for the second time, in just their third year of SEC play.
The Vols (5-5), however, can derail Missouri’s SEC East championship hopes with a win on Saturday night. If Tennessee beats Mizzou, Georgia wins the SEC East (That makes Athens an extension of Knoxville, for at least one day).
Tennessee isn’t just hoping to play spoiler though. The Vols can become bowl eligible for the first time since 2010 with a win against the Tigers.
The Vols are one of the hottest teams in the SEC right now. But they are dealing with some distractions this week. Tennessee suspended senior linebacker AJ Johnson and sophomore defensive back Michael Williams amid a sexual assault investigation.
UT head coach Butch Jones has continued to insist that the suspensions haven’t affected the Volunteers’ preparation this week, telling SEC Nation on Saturday “It hasn’t impacted our preparation for Mizzou. We talk about the ‘next man in’ and it is an opportunity for some other individuals to really step up and assert themselves. We have had a very good week of preparation and we will have a great challenge against Missouri tonight”.
The Vols will start true freshman linebacker Jakob Johnson in place of AJ Johnson.
The younger Johnson will be the 10th true freshman that has started for Tennessee this season.
The Vols will also be playing without redshirt junior safety Brian Randolph for the first half. Randolph was ejected in the second half of Tennessee’s win against Kentucky last week. He’ll be eligible to return in the second half of UT’s game against Missouri.
We invite you to join us throughout the game for live updates from Neyland Stadium. We’ll be with you all night as the Vols hope to make a statement in the SEC.
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Tennessee to wear traditional orange and white uniforms on senior night.
#ICYMI: Here’s @UTCoachJones on #SECNation on @SECNetwork this morning: http://t.co/EDM0URzMtG
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) November 22, 2014
Last go around. pic.twitter.com/OPhECNchdU
— Justin Worley (@WorleyBird_14) November 22, 2014
It doesn’t appear that Marquez North will play for Tennessee tonight.
Marquez North is not dressed out tonight.
— zach ragan (@zachtnt) November 23, 2014
Missouri goes right down the field and converts several third downs, before Marcus Murphy takes in from two yards out for the first score of the game. Mizzou 7 UT 0
Vols fail to capitalize on good field position, only netting a FG. Mizzou 7 UT 3
Mizzou leads 7-3 at the end of the first quarter. Vols couldn’t find much offensive rhythm in the first quarter. Mizzou was able to get press on Dobbs and limit any big pickups.
Vols fake the field goal and Patrick Ashford throws a 31 yard touchdown pass to Alex Ellis to give the Vols the lead. UT 10 Mizzou 7
Mizzou strikes right back with a rushing touchdown, but the Tigers miss the extra point. Mizzou 13 UT 10
Vols tie the game on a 39 yard Aaron Medley field goal. UT 13 Mizzou 13
Halftime: UT 13 Mizzou 13
Mizzou gets the first points of the second half with a FG. Mizzou 16 UT 13
End of third quarter: Missouri 16 Tennessee 13
Missouri connects on a long score to give the Tigers a 10 point lead. Mizzou 23 UT 13