Missouri vs. Tennessee: Game Preview With TV Schedule

After two home losses in their first six games, the Missouri Tigers have won four consecutive games and are starting to look like serious threats once again in the SEC. However, Missouri’s matchup this week against the Tennessee Volunteers on the road may once again knock them out of the rankings.

Missouri has come back from an average 4-2 record to post an 8-2 record through 10 games this season. The Tigers have relied heavily on the progression of sophomore quarterback Maty Mauk who many believe will be a future star in this league. However, the young gunslinger has struggled this year even through the win streak, passing for 1,784 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while completing just 53 percent of his passes. Bud Sasser has done a great job of taking over No. 1 receiver duties, leading the team with 52 catches for 701 yards and eight touchdowns. Junior Russell Hansbrough and senior Marcus Murphy have both set career-highs in rushing yards this year. Hansbrough has 790 yards and nine TDs while Murphy has 607 yards and one score.

While senior Justin Worley was putting up career-best numbers through the air this year, an injury three weeks ago has given way to talented sophomore Joshua Dobbs — who will likely keep the starting job for the remainder of the year. Since taking over, Dobbs has led the Volunteers to a 2-1 record behind his 790 yards, seven touchdowns and just two interceptions. The sophomore stud can also run the ball effectively, accounting for 289 yards and four touchdowns — ranking second on the team in rush yards and first in rushing scores. Jalen Hurd leads all rushers with 716 yards and three scores on 4.5 yards per carry. Pig Howard will likely continue to be the team’s top target as he has 201 receiving yards in the three games since Dobbs has taken over.

Defensively, Tennessee has been one of the most solid teams in the SEC this season, ranking 39th in total yards allowed and 47th in points allowed per game. Missouri has been much more impressive, owning the 16th-best scoring defense as well as the 22nd-best total defense in the nation.

Missouri will travel to Tennessee to take on the Volunteers at 7:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 22. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.

PREDICTION: Missouri 30, Tennessee 34

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at [email protected].