Fearless Prediction: Tennessee vs. South Carolina
By Mark Nagi
Published:
The Fearless Prediction had wavering confidence in Josh Heupel and the Tennessee Volunteers last week and could not have been more wrong. Tennessee’s defense is absolutely legit, and the offense showed remarkable physical and mental toughness in a dominating 26-10 victory over Alabama. We won’t doubt the Big Orange again.
(Looks at schedule.)
Uh oh…
If you had to explain to a friend who knows nothing about college football what a “trap game” was, Tennessee’s upcoming visit to South Carolina potentially fits the bill. The Vols do not play well at Williams-Brice. Tennessee’s loss in 2016 put it on the road to losing the SEC East. The Vols’ loss in 2022 probably cost them a spot in the 4-team College Football Playoff and saw their star QB Hendon Hooker rip up his knee, ending his college career. There’s also the matter of Connor Stalions and how he may or may not have assisted South Carolina.
College football rarely disappoints.
In terms of this season, the Vols are coming off an impressive victory and a rivalry win, no less. Can they put that in the rearview? As for South Carolina, Shane Beamer is coaching for his job. Last time out, the Gamecocks pulled off a surprising win at Florida, and now are well rested following a bye week.
Tennessee’s defense is good. Really good. Following a 5-sack performance against Alabama, the Vols have 30 sacks on the season, tops in the FBS. They are also 6th in the country in tackles for loss with 58.
Against the Crimson Tide, the Vols stopped 11 of 13 third-down attempts and allowed only 54 rushing yards. Defensive linemen Xavier Gilliam and Tyree Weathersby are the modern-day Undertaker and Kane, causing havoc with a combined 11.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss. Linebackers Amare Campbell and Arion Carter are at the top of the tackle table with 46 and 43, respectively.
The Vols have also collected 13 turnovers, tied for 10th-best in the FBS. New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has been a revelation, leading one of the best groups in the country.
As for that Tennessee offense, why don’t they just build the whole plane out of DeSean Bishop? He’s now averaging nearly 120 rushing yards per game with a healthy 6 yards per carry. Against Alabama, he had 159 rushing yards and 2 scores. Having Bishop takes a lot off the plate of redshirt freshman QB George MacIntyre, who seems to have cemented his place as Tennessee’s starter. He’ll get the call for his 2nd career road start on Saturday.
As for South Carolina, the Gamecocks were left for dead a couple of weeks ago, as was their head coach, Shane Beamer. They had lost 3 straight, including a crushing OT loss to Kentucky. But then came a startling 38-19 victory over Florida.
QB LaNorris Sellers has a combined 291.5 yards passing and rushing, with 14 combined TDs. South Carolina needs a big game from Sellers if it is going to win on Saturday. Tennessee doesn’t give up many big plays, but needs to be aware of WR Nyck Harbor, averaging 16.4 yards per reception. RB Matt Fuller is gaining 81 yards per game on the ground.
Defensively, senior LB Justin Okoronkwo leads the Gamecocks with 43 tackles. Lineman Tomiwa Durojaiye has 4.5 tackles for loss.
If special teams are to be a factor, Tennessee’s Cooper Ranvier has made 10 of 11 FGs, South Carolina’s Malik Orsan has made 8 of 10 FGs.
Weird things happen in this game, especially when played in Columbia. But Tennessee gets a break with an afternoon kickoff. That means less time for those Gamecocks fans to pregame.
It’s not revenge the Vols are after on Saturday… it’s the reckoning. Four years ago, South Carolina fans reveled in destroying Tennessee’s Playoff dreams. They won’t get a repeat performance.
Fearless Prediction: Tennessee 26, South Carolina 17
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Mark Nagi has covered Tennessee athletics for over 20 years. He is the author of “Decade of Dysfunction,” an in-depth look at all that led to the crazy coaching search of 2017 at Tennessee. The book is available on Amazon.
