Tennessee - Missouri: RTT Staff Predictions

Tennessee heads into its game this weekend coming off a win for the first time in over a month. The Vols travel to Columbia, Mo. to take on the Missouri Tigers, who have won their last three games.

Will Tennessee be able to contain Missouri’s explosive offense and come away with a conference win?

Conner Knapp: Missouri 38, Tennessee 24

(Season record: 8-1)

I’ve tried to talk myself into picking Tennessee in this game, but I always come back to a simple proposition: Missouri scores a lot of points and Tennessee does not.

I don’t think Tennessee’s offense can keep up with Missouri and eventually the Vols’ defense will succumb to the prolific offensive attack from the Tigers.

Terry Lambert: Missouri 35, Tennessee 23

(Season record: 7-2)

The Tennessee offense had a nice start against Southern Miss last week, then it went downhill. Unfortunately, I just don’t think the offense will be able to keep up here. We really haven’t seen this secondary tested this year, oddly enough. That’s about to change.

What worries me here is the pass rush. Can Tennessee get pressure on Drew Lock? They haven’t been able to generate anything without dialing some sort of blitz up, which is why Colton Jumper leads the team in sacks. Add in all of these injuries along the offensive line and I’m just not very optimistic here. I’ll roll with Missouri, somewhat comfortably.

Noah Taylor: Missouri 42, Tennessee 21

(Season record: 8-1)

Missouri has just seemed to be clicking at the right time despite starting the season 1-5. They’ve won three straight, including a dominating 45-16 performance versus Florida last week. While Tennessee may be able to put up a few touchdowns on Missouri’s suspect defense, I think it will be the Tigers offensive production that will prove to much for the Vols on Saturday night.

If they have any shot to win this game, they’ve got to keep Missouri from putting them in a hole early, because it is going to be tough for Guarantano (or Will McBride) and company to score enough to catch up.

Evan Winter: Missouri 31, Tennessee 10

(Season record: 7-2)

What was once thought of as a guaranteed win is no longer so. Missouri is on a roll and UT is well, UT.

Drew Locke is on fire this season but has struggled at times. The Vols have to find a pass rush and create turnovers if they want to slow him down. Unfortunately for Tennessee, the Tigers also destroyed Florida on the ground last week.

With the uncertainty at quarterback and offensive line issues, I just don't see the Vols pulling this off.