Tennessee football: Game by game predictions for 2021 season
![Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/8d42f55936c60841e4c5ee0154e86bf9e055e5651a32aa90f4663d07826cf341.jpg)
Prediction. 52. 841. 38. 839
Saturday, Oct. 16; Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.
Lane Kiffin’s return to Knoxville will be met with points, points and more points. We know based on last year that Kiffin’s Ole Miss Rebels know how to score. He’e only gotten better as an offensive mind since he was Tennessee football’s head coach, and that’s going to be on display throughout the early portion of the season.
Meanwhile, the Vols, as we’ve mentioned, will still have a bad defense that is developing under Tim Banks. By this point, they’ll also be banged up, as this will be their sixth straight game without a bye. That’s not a good combination when you’re facing a team led by Kiffin.
As a result, Kiffin will hang it on UT early. Our post may be showing the Vols losing the game by just two touchdowns, but it’s going to be a lot more brutal than that. They will get behind by tons of points early on and have to fight their way back.
On the bright side, they’ll put up points, as we know Kiffin won’t have a good defense either. That will be enough for them to make this look closer than it really was late. It’s possible this 52-38 loss comes after a 45-17 deficit. Kiffin calling off the dogs and his poor defense will allow Heupel’s offense to thrive.