Tennessee vs. Bowling Green in Nashville is the opening game for both teams. Here is the preview, television information, and more for the Vols and Falcons.
College football is officially here. The season is back. And after eight months, we can finally say that it’s football time in Tennessee!
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The Volunteers open the season in Nashville against the Bowling Green Falcons, a very good Group of Five football team.
Both teams are excited about what they have this year.
Starting with Tennessee, the Vols had a strong finish to the 2014 season, winning four of their final five games to finish 7-6 after inserting Joshua Dobbs into the starting lineup at quarterback.
Butch Jones adding a second straight Top Five recruiting class to the program along with the return of 20 starters has the fan base excited about a return to glory this year, despite the Vols still being one of the youngest teams in college football.
Tennessee is loaded with skill players at wide receiver, running back, quarterback, and in the secondary. But they are a bit unproven at linebacker and offensive line, and while they are very deep on the defensive line, they are inexperienced.
They also have a new offensive coordinator in Mike DeBord, so we will want to see the new offense and if there are any changes.
Jones has done his best to calm expectations, but he is embracing them as well, and he and the coaching staff along with the players and fans would love to set the right tone with a big opening win.
Bowling Green, meanwhile, followed up its MAC Championship in 2013 with an 8-6 season in Dino Babers’s first year as head coach, but remember that he lost his star quarterback in Matt Johnson the first game of the year last year.
Johnson is an elite quarterback at his level, and he’s back with an offense that returns everybody, including the entire offensive line, an array of receivers, and a deep rushing attack that was one of the best in the MAC last year. Babers will want to run his up-temp offense and challenge the Vols line and linebackers with his running game while throwing to slot receivers to test Tennessee’s No. 2 cornerback and nickel.
On defense, Bowling Green just needs a prayer. As great as their offense is, their defense lost everybody. The one good news is their strongest point is on the defensive line, and Tennessee is still inexperienced on the offensive line.
As a result, the Falcons will want to try to bring as much pressure as possible to confuse the line and hopefully force a few turnovers.
This game is expected to be a blowout in favor of the Vols, and they should win running away, but Bowling Green has the match-ups and weapons to stay in this game for a half.
Game Information
What: Tennessee vs. Bowling Green
When: Saturday, 4 p.m. E.T.
Where: Nissan Stadium (Home of the Tennessee Titans), Nashville, Tenn.
TV: SEC Network
Live Stream: WatchESPN
Line: Tennessee -21
Over/Under: 70.5
Next: Top 10 Opening Games in Tennessee History
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- How to Win a GUARANTEED $200 Bonus Betting Just $5 on the Vols vs. Florida!
- Tennessee Football at Florida: Five Keys to a Vols Victory
- Week 3 SEC Power Rankings: Did Tennessee Football’s Win Help At All?
- Week 3 AP Polls: Why Did Tennessee Football Drop in the Polls?
- Tennessee Football: Top Five Performers in 30-13 Win vs. Austin Peay