Tennessee shouldn’t be challenged against Chattanooga, right? Surely not.
Yes, I know that the Mocs have 15 starters returning and are picked to win the Southern Conference, but Tennessee could win a national championship this year. Why worry?
This is where I’m supposed to tell you that the Vols can actually stumble against a lower-level opponent and that the Mocs are driven to make a game out of it on Saturday when the Vols host Chattanooga at 12:45 in Neyland Stadium.
I’m not going to do that.
As much as I respect Chattanooga, the Vols are just too good. Prediction coming, but here are four things that will (almost) certainly happen on Saturday.
Nico Iamaleava will throw for 350 yards in a half
I don’t expect Tennessee’s superstar quarterback to play much in the second half, even though UT coach Josh Heupel keeps his players in the game just a bit too long at times. Iamaleava might start the second half in order to replicate a game that could test the Vols a bit more, but that will be about it for the redshirt freshman against the Mocs.
Two Tennessee tight ends will catch multiple passes
Redshirt freshman Ethan Davis is the rising star for the Vols and could be Tennessee’s best tight end since former Vol Jason Witten in the early 2000’s. However, Alabama transfer Miles Kitselman has also been a surprise with his athletic ability downfield in the passing game. They’ll be a factor on Saturday and beyond. Iamaleava will prove adept at working the middle of the field in the passing game, which the Vols were afraid to do with former Vol Joe Milton III at the helm last season.
Dylan Sampson will have 150 all-purpose yards
I know what you thought about the Vols’ horizontal passing game last season, which involved a multitude of receiver screens. That won’t be the way the Vols attack the flats this season. Tennessee will use Sampson as a receiver as well as its top running back. His explosiveness, no matter how he gets the ball, will be too much for the Mocs’ defense.
Tennessee will give up 13 or more points to the Mocs
That may not seem like a ghastly prediction against SEC teams. However, it would be worth noting if the Mocs can put up double-digit points against Tennessee. Why? The Mocs have a solid returning starting quarterback in Chase Artopoeus and a solid offensive line to protect him. Therefore, the Mocs will score one “real” touchdown against the Vols and add on some late field goal.
Final Prediction: Tennessee 63, Chattanooga 13
