Mizzou Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers: football prediction, bet line, odds, kickoff, TV

Missouri’s top-notch defense, led by a coordinator recently awarded with a contract extension, is one of the top turnaround stories in college football this season.

A year ago, the Tigers ranked among the nation’s worst units and bottomed out against this week’s opponent, Tennessee.

The Vols rushed for 275 yards — in the first half. They scored touchdowns on their first six possessions, and Mizzou surrendered at least 60 points at home for the first time since 1932. Eli Drinkwitz fired the defensive line coach before the next game.

But with new defensive coordinator Blake Baker, a handful of newcomers and rejuvenated veterans, the Tigers have changed their stripes and are a top 15 defense nationally this season.

Tennessee coach Josh Heupel, the former MU assistant, said tape of last season’s game offers little scouting value.

“With the new coordinator, they’re so different,” Heupel said. “In some of your personnel cut-ups, you may revert back to some of the things that our guys versus their guys at certain spots where there’s carryover because they’re playing again this year.

“But for the most part, new scheme, new coordinator, new defense, new attitude and playing extremely physical, so you focus on this year’s product.”

As for this year’s game, Tennessee’s offense, led by quarterback Hendon Hooker, presents Missouri’s biggest challenge. The Vols lead the nation in total offense at 523.7 yards per game. Only Ohio State averages more than Tennessee’s 45.3 points per game.

Both teams are coming off disappointing losses, Missouri to Kentucky and Tennessee to Georgia. That was the Vols’ first loss this season and they dropped to fifth in the College Football Playoff ranking. They remain in the chase for the CFP playoff but can’t afford another loss.

Here’s are the details and a prediction for Saturday’s game:

Prediction: Tennessee 28-16

Line: Tennessee by 20 1/2 (Vols opened favored by 17 1/2

Last game prediction: Missouri 19, Kentucky 17 (Wildcats won 21-17)

2022 record on picks (straight up): 7-2

2022 record against the spread: 6-2

The details

Kickoff: 11 a.m. Central Time on Saturday

Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tenn.

TV: CBS

Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM)