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Tennessee football vs. Ball State: Five last-minute predictions

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cheerleaders cheer at the Vol Walk before a game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cheerleaders cheer at the Vol Walk before a game against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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They are a heavy favorite in their opener against the Ball State Cardinals, and Tennessee football is much more of a known commodity entering Josh Heupel’s second season. The Vols return tons of starters on both sides of the ball, which is a big reason for raised expectations after they went 7-6 last year amidst a cloud of uncertainty.

You would think that such success means it’ll be easy to predict what happens in their opener, but no so fast. Ball State comes into this game in a completely opposite situation. They have to replace their quarterback, their leading weapon and their top two defenders.

Still, Mike Neu’s program is coming off two straight bowl appearances, and they won the MAC in 2020. The new talent has generated more optimism and hope that they can maintain success. What will that translate to when these teams kickoff Thursday night? Let’s find out in our five last-minute predictions for Tennessee football’s opener.

These are things that will happen when the Tennessee football Volunteers kick off Josh Heupel’s second season against the Ball State Cardinals.

Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917
Tennessee wide receiver Cedric Tillman (4) warming up before the start of an NCAA college football game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles in Knoxville, Tenn. on Saturday, September 18, 2021.Utvtech0917 /

5. Cedric Tillman won’t lead the Vols in receiving.

Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman is what makes Vol fans so excited this year. Both flirted with single-season records last year, and a full season together may help them break some together. However, against Ball State, there will be a few things working against Tillman, so he’ll have to take a step back.

First, with Velus Jones Jr. and JaVonta Payton gone, Ball State will key on him more heavily. Second, the Cardinals do return their two best coverage players in the secondary, including cornerback Amechi Uzodinma II and free safety Malcolm Lee. These two will focus on Tillman.

That will open up the door for Tennessee football to look elsewhere in this game, and it should allow for the tight ends and the new receivers in the lineup to shine. One of them will step up and shockingly dominate. Tillman may still get a touchdown and a few yards, but he won’t be the biggest star of the night in the passing game.

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