Brad Nessler says that this week against Missouri is a must-win for Tennessee to stay alive in the SEC East title race.

Nessler had this to say about the Volunteers matchup with Missouri this Saturday.

“I think it’s a really even matchup,” Nessler said. “Going into the season everybody expected Tennessee to be way above Missouri… and it hasn’t been that way.”

Tennessee and Missouri both currently hold records of 7-2 overall and 3-2 in SEC play. Both teams are chasing Georgia for first place in the SEC East, but Tennessee has a shot at beating both of its closest competitors in the next 2 weeks. The Volunteers have won 5 of their last 6, with their lone loss over that stretch coming against Alabama. Missouri is coming off a 30-21 loss to Georgia.

Tennessee is 6-5 in the total series against Missouri, and has won 4-straight over the Tigers. Last year in Knoxville, the Volunteers bludgeoned Missouri 66-24. The last win in the series for Missouri came back in 2018.

Tennessee travels to Missouri to take on the Tigers this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.