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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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Sep 15, 2018; Bloomington, IN, USA; Ball State Cardinals head coach Mike Neu applauds his team after the score in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 15, 2018; Bloomington, IN, USA; Ball State Cardinals head coach Mike Neu applauds his team after the score in the first quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Memorial Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Ball State won’t score in the first quarter

We may seem to be contradicting the prediction we just made, but that’s not the case. Tennessee football was the best first-quarter team in the nation last year, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t happen again this. The quick pace of Josh Heupel’s offense catches lots of teams off-guard and makes it hard for them to get into a rhythm.

Beyond that issue, though, Ball State’s new talent is going to be an issue. Yes, John Paddock will score some points, and yes, they were actually pretty good in the first quarter last year too. If you look at both of these teams, you could end up seeing a first-quarter shootout.

However, Paddock will still need time to gel with his offense. Without Drew Plitt and Justin Hall, Ball State isn’t the same first quarter team. Paddock needing time to gel is a recipe for disaster against an elite first-quarter team. Add in the new skill players he’s working with, including at wide receiver, and it may take even longer.

This is why we mentioned the second quarter as the possibility for Paddock to throw his touchdown passes. That’s when the Vols struggle the most, as teams adjust to their style of play. It’s likely that happens again this year, but it won’t benefit Paddock and Ball State early.

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