Tennessee football vs. Missouri: Keys to the game

10. Home opening jitters for Tennessee football

This will be Tennessee football’s first home game since facing the Vanderbilt Commodores last year on Senior Day, and the Vols have only had one home game in their last five outings dating back to 2019 amidst this seven-game winning streak. Adding to the chaos, though, is the new situation that will be present at Neyland Stadium due to the pandemic.

Obviously, the stands will be a 25 percent capacity. UT will not be running through the T, and their won’t be any pregame fanfare. Although they should already be used to such things after dealing with it at the South Carolina Gamecocks last week, you have to wonder if returning home and handling all of that will give them certain new jitters.

Last year, the Vols fell to 0-2 by losing to two Group of Five schools at home. With all the distractions and the excitement surrounding a 1-0 record, a couple of mistakes could all of a sudden strike fear into the hearts of Vol fans. What will it do to the UT players? Honestly, if it happens, that could be a major question in this game.

On the other hand, the Missouri Tigers are coming in with nothing to lose. They don’t have much pressure this year with a first-year head coach in Eliah Drinkwitz, and we know that Drinkwitz knows how to get the most out of his team in his first year. That combined with potential home jitters could be a big point in Mizzou’s favor.