Taking a position-by-position look at Tennessee vs. Missouri, here’s what to watch for in Saturday’s contest between the Volunteers and the Tigers:
QUARTERBACK – Tennessee: Through 10 games, UT’s passing game hasn’t quite met preseason production expectations, but Joshua Dobbs (162-of-274, 1,896 yards, 13 TD, 5 INT) still gives his team the edge. The dual-threat Dobbs is a true difference-maker in the running game as Tennessee’s third-best rusher (113 rushes, 476 yards, 7 TD). When Missouri freshman Drew Lock (107-of-206, 1114 yards, 4 TD, 6 INT) replaced suspended QB Maty Mauk, the Tigers’ season took a nosedive. Lock is coming off his best game (19-of-28, 244 yards, TD, INT) against BYU, which Mizzou won, 20-16.
RUNNING BACKS – Tennessee: Jalen Hurd (200 carries, 887 yards, 10 TD) has been an effective every-down back for the Volunteers this season, though he hasn’t cracked the 100-yard mark rushing since Sept. 26 against Florida (28 carries, 102 yards). In last week’s 24-0 win over North Texas, Alvin Kamara was UT’s top runner, gaining 127 yards on 15 carries. If Tennessee can perfect the one-two punch of Hurd and Kamara, Mizzou is in trouble. MU’s top returning ball-carrier, Russell Hansbrough (94 carries, 381 yards, TD), was hampered by a sprained ankle for much of the first half of the season. His backup, Ish Witter (114 carries, 457 yards, TD), is Missouri’s statistical leading rusher for the season.
WIDE RECEIVERS, TIGHT END – Tennessee: Josh Malone (27 catches, 353 yards, 2 TD) wasn’t the most talked-about UT wideout heading into the season, but he’s the top target through Week 11. Von Pearson is another receiver to watch, especially after his 8-catch, 121-yard game against South Carolina in Week 10. Ethan Wolf ranks No. 4 among SEC tight ends in receiving yards with 271. The quarterback change has hindered Mizzou’s passing attack, but Nate Brown (25 catches, 316 yards, 4 TD) and J’Mon Moore (26 catches, 301 yards, 3 TD) are top-35 SEC pass-catchers.
OFFENSIVE LINE – Tennessee: A weakness for both teams, but a slight statistical edge to UT. Tennessee allows fewer sacks than Missouri (20 to 25), but also has a much more mobile quarterback in Dobbs compared to Lock. The Volunteers have the more established ground game, but UT is putting the ball in the hands of the 6-foot-4, 240-pound Hurd, a different kind of ball-carrier than MU has to block for in Witter (5-foot-10, 190 pounds) and Hansbrough (5-foot-9, 195 pounds).
DEFENSIVE LINE – Missouri: With Charles Harris (47 tackles, 7 sacks) and Walter Brady (29 tackles, 7 sacks) leading the pass rush up front, Mizzou should be able to cause trouble for Tennessee and Dobbs. Tennessee’s defensive line was dealt a major blow early in the season when DE/LB Curt Maggitt went down. DE Derek Barnett (50 tackles, 7 sacks) has stepped it up with six sacks in the past five games.
LINEBACKERS – Missouri: Both offenses should be on notice with two of the SEC’s best linebackers, MU’s Kentrell Brothers (128 tackles, 3 sacks, 2 INT, forced fumble) and UT’s Jalen Reeves-Maybin (89 tackles, 4 sacks, 2 FF), wreaking havoc on Saturday. Tipping this position group in the Tigers’ favor is the help Brothers and the rest of the Mizzou defense gets from Michael Scherer (75 tackles).
SECONDARY – Missouri: Both defensive backfields can claim five interceptions, with Mizzou safety Ian Simon and Tennessee safeties Todd Kelly Jr. and LaDarrell McNeil all notching two on the season. Mizzou’s passing defense ranks No. 4 in the conference compared to No. 12 Tennessee, demonstrating the Tigers’ secondary is doing a better overall job – though some credit goes to the pass rush.
Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaign of Fred Taylor.
