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Tennessee football: Game by game predictions for Vols 2018 season

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view of Neyland Stadium before the start of the Florida Gators versus Tennessee Volunteers on September 20, 2008 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: A general view of Neyland Stadium before the start of the Florida Gators versus Tennessee Volunteers on September 20, 2008 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /
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Game 11: Missouri Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers

Saturday, Nov. 17; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

Caleb Calhoun

This is the West Virginia Mountaineers and Auburn Tigers all over again. Look, we’ve seen enough of history to know that teams don’t adjust to the 3-4 their first season even as the year goes on. They need one horrible season and two full offseasons, maybe two horrible seasons and three full offseasons. So yeah, Tennessee football again has no chance here.

Former Vols coach Derek Dooley, who was done in by hiring Sal Sunseri as defensive coordinator and letting him throw in the 3-4 scheme in 2012, is now the offensive coordinator for Mizzou. He’s making Drew Lock, one of the best passers in the nation, more of a pro-style guy. That’s a deadly combo for a defense like Tennessee’s. And it won’t end well as a result.

Winner: Missouri (6-5, 3-4)

Billy Williford

Drew Lock is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in the SEC, and I would give Tennessee a zero percent chance to win the game if it was played earlier in the season.

However, by the time Missouri comes to town, the secondary will be experienced enough to contain Lock. Vols win back-to-back game heading into the game against the in-state rivals.

Winner: Tennessee (6-5, 3-4)

Garrett Sanders

This is a very problematic game for Tennessee football’s secondary, as Drew Lock is an excellent passer. But Jeremy Pruitt has coached defensive backs for most of his career. He will will game plan as well as possible to have them prepared. At the same time, the Tigers aren’t great on defense, so the Vols can exploit that. Fireworks will clearly be going off all game.

While Missouri has the better offense on paper, they will not be playing for their lives in this game. Tennessee will. That and Pruitt’s experience give Tennessee a surprising advantage in this matchup. They are also playing at Neyland Stadium. That will help as well.

Winner: Tennessee (5-6, 2-5)

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