Tennessee @ Missouri preview
Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 17, 2018 ) Missouri 50, Tennessee 17
Tennessee’s season has taken on a new trajectory during a three-game winning streak, and the Volunteers will try to continue their momentum and gain bowl eligibility when they travel to Missouri on Saturday. The Tigers are trending in the opposite direction, having lost four straight following a five-game winning streak.
The Vols’ winning streak was interrupted by a bye last week, following a 17-13 victory at Kentucky on Nov. 9. Tennessee’s defense has led the turnaround, beginning with a 35-13 loss at No. 5 Alabama on Oct. 19 and continuing through wins over South Carolina, UAB and Kentucky. Missouri looked like an SEC East title contender after starting 2-0 in conference play, but the Tigers have limped to four straight ugly losses. The offense has been stagnant, totaling 27 points during the skid and only 13 in the past three contests.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network. LINE: Missouri -4
ABOUT TENNESSEE (5-5, 3-3 SEC): The Vols didn’t commit to a starting quarterback in this week’s depth chart, listing Jarrett Guarantano and freshman Brian Maurer as potential starters. Guarantano lost the job to Maurer early in the season, and the two split time against Kentucky, but Guarantano has been the team’s most effective passer during the winning streak. The defense has been steady all season and is especially tough against the pass, and the Vols are playing their best defense of the season, having held back-to-back opponents to fewer than 300 total yards.
ABOUT MISSOURI (5-5, 2-4): Even during their four-game skid, the Tigers have played tough defense as they rank 10th in the nation in total defense and sixth against the pass. The turnovers and defensive scores they were generating early in the season have fallen off, though, and the offense hasn’t been able to pick up the slack. Quarterback Kelly Bryant has been slowed by a nagging injury, and the offense has foundered, failing to gain more than 300 yards in four straight games after putting up at least 380 in their first six contests.
EXTRA POINTS
1. Guarantano has completed 28-of-37 passes for 426 yards with five touchdowns and no interceptions in the second half of the Vols’ past five contests.
2. Missouri has averaged 343 rushing yards in its past two games against Tennessee - both 50-17 victories.
3. Tennessee has allowed an average of 99.5 passing yards in two games in November.
PREDICTION: Tennessee 23, Missouri 20