All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Game-by-game predictions for 2020 season

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 12
Next
Tennessee football
Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images /

839. Prediction. 17. 822. 31

Saturday, Oct. 3; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.

Riding a wave of momentum from the South Carolina win, Tennessee football will return home to face a rebuilding Missouri Tigers team. However, don’t sleep on these guys just yet. Mizzou was 6-6 last year and played well despite knowing they wouldn’t make a bowl game. Despite losing Kelly Bryant, they return a lot of talent from that team.

First-year head coach Eliah Drinkwitz proved last year with the Appalachian State Mountaineers that his offenses can take off quickly, and he maintained defensive coordinator Ryan Walters, who’s got a lot of talent back. As a result, the defense shouldn’t miss a beat either, and that could make for some thrilling games by the Tigers this year.

It won’t happen here, though. This game is so early that Missouri will indeed still be going through somewhat of a learning curve. UT’s offense will take a little while to get going, but the ground attack will control this game, and the Tigers will have a crucial turnover in the second half that the Vols capitalize off of to take complete control. Mizzou won’t threaten after that.

Fans will walk away from this game unimpressed and thinking that it was an ugly win, but Rocky Top will get the win nonetheless. Missouri puts up a fight and stays in the game until late in the third quarter, though. This team will be much more dangerous in the SEC East than people expect.

Record: 2-0

Home/Vols Football