Can the Missouri Tigers Reach Bowl Eligibility?

Tennessee

Oct 10, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joshua Dobbs (11) passes against the Georgia Bulldogs during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Tennessee won 38-31. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

At the beginning of the season, Tennessee was expected to improve greatly and perhaps compete in the East. They’ve had their fair share of stumbles throughout the season, but the Volunteers have come back as of late. The Volunteers handed Georgia their second loss of the season. They have not been without their defensive woes, however. The Volunteers’ defense gives up a whopping 419 YPG, and 25.7 PPG.  It is also 104th in the nation in total tackles and has mustered only four interceptions.

Tennessee could be the game the young Missouri offense needs. I’m not saying that the Mizzou offense will look spectacular in this game, but that we might see glimpses of the future. Presumably, Drew Lock will have spent a fair chunk of the season under center and at the very least begin to look comfortable and take control of this team. It is also hoped that either the running game has gotten back up or that Pinkel will begin to rely on the passing game more; the passing game has been the demonstrably more effective option this season, and

QB Joshua Dobbs leads an offense that has been produced 2608 yards over the course of the season, and puts more than 200 YPG in both passing and rushing.  That may seem like a well-balanced offense, but neither Tennessee’s passing nor rushing game is within the top 30 in FBS; their passing game is only good enough for 92nd in total passing yardage. That is somehow worse than the Tigers, who sit at 86th.

Defense wins. Missouri wins.

Next: Arkansas