Tennessee - Southern Miss: RTT Staff Predictions

Losers of four straight games, Tennessee returns home to Neyland Stadium to take on the Southern Miss Golden Eagles.

Southern Miss comes to town with a 5-3 record and as an underdog of less than a touchdown. No team would be a pushover for the Volunteers at this juncture, but USM is a good team by any measure.

Here’s how the RTT staff thinks the game will shake out.

Conner Knapp: Tennessee 24, Southern Miss 20

(Season record: 7-1)

I think this game for Tennessee will be much like the one it played against UMass. It’s going to be a tight game, but if Tennessee has any fight left, it needs to show on Saturday night.

I think the Vols play well enough to get another win and keep their hopes of a bowl game alive.

Terry Lambert: Tennessee 28, Southern Miss 20

(Season record: 6-2)

I went bold last week and predicted a Tennessee win over Kentucky (how sad is that statement?) and it ended up biting me. The Vols just keep on finding ways to lose.

That has to change — and I think it does here. I’m less scared of Southern Miss than I was a week ago, following their loss to UAB. Tennessee has held firm as seven point favorites since the beginning of the week, which sounds about right to me.

I don’t think this game is ever comfortable, but I think Tennessee is just too talented here.

Noah Taylor: Tennessee 24 Southern Miss 16

(Season record: 7-1)

Southern Miss is by no means a great team, especially when stacked up against Georgia and Alabama, however this is by no means an easy game for Tennessee. The Vols haven’t won a game since beating UMass 17-13 on September 23rd, and are in desperate need of a victory to keep their hopes of a post season birth alive.

If there was any positive take aways from last week’s loss at Kentucky it was that Tennessee offense finally found a pulse. I think that trend will continue into this week, but it will take a late touchdown and a defensive stop to put away the Golden Eagles in Neyland on homecoming.

Evan Winter: Tennessee 33, Southern Miss 14

(Season record: 6-2)

This is the first pick in multiple weeks where I've had confidence that UT will win.

Southern Miss is not very good at all and Tennessee's talent should prevail in this one. The Vols will show up and show out on Homecoming night.