Tennessee football: Vols, SEC, top 25 predictions for Week Three of 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the outside of Neyland Stadium before a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
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Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Missouri Tigers

TV: SEC Network

Saturday, Sept. 14 at 7:30 p.m. E.T.; Faurot Field; Columbia, Mo.

Joining Tennessee football with a heartbreaking loss against a Group of Five team to open the season, the Missouri Tigers actually rebounded the next week against the West Virginia Mountaineers, dominating that game. The offense is coming together under Kelly Bryant, and Derek Dooley has a good bit to work with. Cutting down on turnovers is key.

This week, Barry Odom’s team joins in on the fun by facing an FCS program. But, similar to a few other teams on this list, they have earned this off-week after such a rough start and then a blowout win over a Power Five team. They can spend more time working out their kinks on offense to avoid the mistakes they made against the Wyoming Cowboys.

Heading into Columbia is a Southeastern Missouri State team that just lost by three touchdowns to Montana State. It’s 1-1 on the year with a win over Southern Illinois to start the season. However, it did give up 26 points in that win while giving up 38 in the loss to Montana State. So they have some issues as they get set to face an SEC team.

Prediction

Similar to the LSU Tigers, the Missouri Tigers could set a record for points scored in this game. They have a loaded offense that is coming together at the right time to face a bad FCS defense. It won’t be the LSU-level blowout, but it will still be total domination. Mizzou runs away with this one and gets Bryant more acclimated to Dooley’s offense.

Missouri: 65 Southeast Missouri State: 13