Missouri +13 3.3% play
Is this a trap here for Tennessee who is getting some hype before the season? They have Georgia up next week and face a Missouri team they beat on the road a year ago. Tennessee +2 TO, and recovered a punt to end the game, also had a pick six that helped them beat South Carolina. Personally I’m not sold on Tennessee, and I don’t think they have earned being a double digit favorite against a decent defense in Missouri especially with Jarret Guarantano at QB who is prone to mistakes.
Tennessee went just 1-12 on third downs last week, they did not turn the ball over, but they did the same thing against South Carolina last year, but in every other game they had a turnover. I expect they will turn the ball over here against Missouri. Guarantano had a great game last year against Missouri throwing for 415 yards, but Jennings & Callaway who combined for 225 receiving yards and both TD’s are not back, while Missouri returns both starting safeties.
Missouri, had the tough task of facing Alabama in week #1, and while they trailed 35-6, they showed some grit and fight in the 4th quarter outscoring them 13-3. Missouri’s defense held Alabama to 3.1 ypc, as they have a very talented front 7. Tennessee the last two years when they are held under 4 yards per carry against power 5 opponents, they are just 5-8 straight up. Only 2 of those 5 wins were by more than 7 points. If you are asking for Jarret Guarantano to win this game by 2 TD’s, without his top 2 targets from last week you are going to have issues.
Offensively, Missouri should be improved with Shawn Robinson, the TCU transfer, and Drinkewitz coming in as the HC. I like that Drinkewitz decided to keep the DC around here, and I think Missouri could be a pesky team in SEC play.