Tennessee football vs. Missouri: Score prediction, scouting report for Vols-Tigers
Tennessee football has its final home game Saturday.
The No. 5 Vols (8-1, 4-1 SEC) host Missouri (4-5, 2-4) on Saturday (noon ET, CBS).
Here is what to know about the matchup, including our prediction:
Cedric Tillman getting back in the swing
Cedric Tillman has been back for two weeks after missing four games with an ankle injury. The senior wide receiver had no limitations against Georgia after being on a "pitch count" against Kentucky, according to coach Josh Heupel.
"He looks like his old self, maybe fresh legs a little bit in some ways, but he’s continued to press to improve every single day," offensive coordinator Alex Golesh said. "Really, really good to have him. I think you saw him on Saturday, he made some plays that were hard to make."
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Tillman had a team-high seven catches for 68 yards against the Bulldogs. He had four catches for 22 yards against Kentucky in his return from the injury.
Missouri gets in the backfield and lets teams in the backfield
Missouri's defense, which ranks fourth in the SEC in passing, rushing and total defense, leads the conference in tackles for loss with 68. The Tigers' offense also ranks at the bottom of the SEC in tackles for loss, allowing 76 — the second-most among Power 5 teams.
Tennessee has the third-most tackles for loss with 58. Tennessee's offensive line is coming off a tough outing at Georgia, where it allowed six sacks. The Vols have allowed 37 tackles for loss, the second-fewest in the SEC.
Vols have a big-time senior class
Tennessee will honor its senior class Saturday, including quarterback Hendon Hooker, offensive linemen Jerome Carvin and Darnell Wright, defensive back Trevon Flowers, and Tillman.
"It is a class that I will remember forever," Heupel said Thursday. "A group of guys that accepted me, accepted our staff and allowed us to get off and running really quickly."
Many members of the senior class stayed at Tennessee following Jeremy Pruitt's firing in January 2021 amid allegations of NCAA recruiting malfeasance. Heupel was hired later that month and has Tennessee competing for a College Football Playoff berth in his second season, which he credited to the seniors.
"You look at all the hurdles this group has gone through, it tells you about their resiliency," Heupel said. "The ability to see them grow, there is so much that is inside of our building because of who these guys are."
Eliah Drinkwitz is 0-for-2 against Tennessee
Missouri coach Eliah Drinkwitz hasn't beaten Tennessee during his tenure. The Vols whacked the Tigers 35-12 in 2020 at Neyland Stadium, then pummeled Missouri 62-24 in 2021.
Drinkwitz was hired in 2020 following one year as the coach at Appalachian State. He received an extension and hefty raise, which Missouri announced Saturday. Drinkwitz’s salary will increase from $4 million to $6 million next season, with raises each year that will bring his salary to $7 million in the final season.
Missouri's offense is not explosive
Missouri ranks last in the SEC in plays of 30 or more yards with 13 and is ahead of only Vanderbilt in plays of 10-plus yards (110) and 20-plus yards (41).
The Tigers average 350 yards per game and are scoring 23.1 points per game, both second-fewest in the SEC.
Score prediction
Tennessee 45, Missouri 17: Tennessee moves to 9-1, easily shredding through Missouri's defense and getting back on track offensively.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on Twitter @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Tennessee football vs. Missouri: Score prediction, scouting report
