Troy Provost-Heron
Sports Editor for The Daily Beacon
When the 2010 Tennessee Volunteers defeated the Ole Miss Rebels on Nov. 13, the victory proved to be part of a four-game winning streak that would propel Tennessee into the 2010 Music City Bowl.
The victory also proved to be the last time the Volunteers would record a win against an SEC West opponent, as Tennessee has lost seven consecutive contests against SEC West foes since that 52-14 rout of Ole Miss.
In that near four-year stretch, though, the Vols’ matchups against SEC West adversaries have been anything but easy. In each of those seven out-of-division conference games, Tennessee’s opponent has been ranked, and only one of them wasn’t undefeated at the time, which was then-eighth-ranked Arkansas in 2011.
And the challenge to get over that SEC West hump won’t get any easier this week as the Vols travel to Oxford, Mississippi, to play the third ranked Rebels inside Vaught–Hemingway Stadium.
In order for the Vols to pull off their first road win against a top-5 opponent since they defeated No. 4 LSU 30-27 back on Sept. 26, 2005, they will have to emphasize taking care of the football.
The Rebels currently lead the SEC in interceptions with 12, three of which they have returned for touchdown, and are led by senior defensive back Senquez Golson, who has recorded an interception in four of Ole Miss’s six games and has five picks on the year to lead the SEC.
“They work together,” junior wide receiver Johnathon Johnson said. “They are a very experienced crew with great athletes. They see the ball well. They don’t make any mistakes, and they’re very athletic. They do a good job disguising coverage, so we have to stay locked in.”
As for snapping that lengthy SEC West losing streak, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones doesn’t seem to be too concerned with that particular statistic.
“I don’t care what has gone on here in the past,” Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said. “We’re new, so anything that has gone on in the past, that doesn’t affect our football team in moving forward. All we know is that they’re our next opponent. It’s a great challenge playing the third-ranked team in the country at their place, and it’s a tremendous opportunity.
“That’s what I like about this football team. They don’t care what’s gone on in the past. They’re responsible for what we create.”
Prediction: Ole Miss 21, Tennessee 10
Dylan Rubino
Sports Editor for The Daily Mississippian
Life is good for the Ole Miss Rebels. A 6-0 record at the midway point of the season and being ranked 3rd in the AP Poll is something to be proud of, especially for the expectations of this team at the beginning of the season.
The Rebels faced two talented front sevens on defense in back-to-back weeks in Alabama and Texas A&M. It doesn’t get much easier this week when it comes to facing defenses, as the front seven of Tennessee will give the Rebels fits.
The Volunteer defense thrives on third down, where they rank fifth in the nation in third down conversion rate. The defense also gives up just over 19 points per game, good for 19th in the country.
The Rebel offense has played more of a manageable game lately instead of pouring on the points. The “landshark” defense has been outstanding this season, surrendering just over 11 points per game this season, which is second best in the nation. With the success of the defense, the offense isn’t being asked to do too much, which has resulted in two straight wins against top-15 ranked opponents.
Senior quarterback Bo Wallace is playing a more efficient game passing the ball and is establishing a presence in the run game, where he ran for 50 yards and two scores last week at Texas A&M. The Rebels have success running the ball when Wallace is an effective runner. He opens up the run game for junior running backs Jaylen Walton and I’Tavius Mathers to make moves on the outside.
Tennessee senior quarterback Justin Worley has shown flashes of greatness but has also struggled at times in big games. Worley threw two interceptions in both of their losses against Oklahoma and Florida. Worley did play well in their three-point loss to Georgia, where he went 23 of 35 through the air for 264 yards and three touchdowns.
The front seven of Tennessee will make some plays against Ole Miss, but where the Rebels will thrive is the passing game. I expect Bo Wallace to have a breakout game and lead the offense. The defense will get pressure on Justin Worley and continue their torrid stretch.
Prediction: Ole Miss 41, Tennessee 13
