Each week, the two sports editors at The Daily Beacon, Trevor McGee and Alex Sarkis, give their keys and predictions for Tennessee’s upcoming football matchup. This week, Senior Staff Writer Theo Colli will be joining in on the action.
The Vols will don their “Volunteer Spirit” Smokey Grey uniform to honor veterans and their families in Tennessee’s annual Salute to Service game.
No. 23 Tennessee plays host to New Mexico State for the festivities inside Neyland Stadium, two weeks after picking up a crushing third loss to Oklahoma. With the Vols well outside of the College Football Playoff conversation, the weekend’s matchup serves as the beginning of a three-game test of how head coach Josh Heupel’s group can respond.
Trevor McGee, Sports Editor
Young reps
While unmotivating to say, Tennessee is not playing for anything anymore from a national championship standpoint. Yes, two rivalry games remain, but this game is not one.
Getting young reps will be crucial, especially in today’s college athletics world. The transfer portal is real, and now is the time of year the players are considering that. Getting game film on tape will be important for the future, whether that be for the Vols to evaluate next season or another program to take a chance on out of the portal. The coaching staff may not be focused on that, but it is now an integral part of the offseason.
Understanding the personnel and the development of players to this point in the season is important. Seeing what those younger guys can do and how they take advantage of reps will allow for a better game plan heading into the offseason.
Stay motivated
Though the players spent the last two weeks talking, and coach spoke about how they’re grateful to play the game every week, it is now time to prove it.
Losing to New Mexico State has never been on the radar, but it could be if the players are checked out. Even if a lackadaisical showing comes out of this, Tennessee has games at Florida and against playoff-contending Vanderbilt the following two weeks. The Vols are a measly two mess-ups away from finishing the season with a disappointing 7-5 record.
Prove you’re not checked out on Saturday. Show up and play the game strongly for all 60 minutes to give a chance to win in Gainesville for the first time since 2003.
Prediction: New Mexico State 13, Tennessee 52
Alex Sarkis, Assistant Sports Editor
Come ready to play
These kinds of games can be the hardest to get up for.
Tennessee is welcoming an inferior opponent. Its hopes for a national title are gone. You would think that there is not much to play for. The Vols are coming into their meeting with the Aggies off their second bye week, and they need to start as fast as possible in all phases of the game.
Tennessee shouldn’t have to worry about the scoreboard. It’s simply about asserting dominance in a way that brings about the most positive mindset to the guys on the home sideline. People are going to take note of how the Vols respond after falling to Oklahoma, and it will be a reflection on Tennessee’s coaching and leadership group. Heupel is historically fantastic in games against lesser opponents, but this could be one of his most important.
See what you have
With Joey Aguilar presumably on the way out, this will be one of the last chances for Tennessee to see what it has in the quarterback room in true game action before next season.
One of the Vols’ depth options in Jake Merklinger or George MacIntyre seems destined for the transfer portal with highly-touted freshman Faizon Brandon coming into the fold next season, so Saturday’s action is an opportunity to turn some heads. Historically, Heupel lets his starting signal-caller handle the first half, and with the lead Tennessee should have, the final stanzas will feature Merklinger and MacIntyre.
Prediction: New Mexico State 21, Tennessee 62
Theo Colli, Senior Staff Writer
Take advantage of bounce-back opportunity
The Vols have lost two of their last three matchups on their schedule, and now is the chance to right the ship after falling to the middle of the pack in the conference. There’s no better way to do that than against a struggling New Mexico State team.
Offensively, Heupel and company should be able to get the ball rolling. New Mexico State ranks 107th in the nation in passing yards per game. After tossing two interceptions his last time out, Aguilar has the chance to air it out again on Saturday.
Get run game back on track
This season, the Vols running back room often operates by committee with DeSean Bishop, Star Thomas and Peyton Lewis each earning reps. Within the trio, Bishop has become the top option.
Entering the matchup against Mississippi State, Thomas led the group each game with the most yards per game, but since the trip to Starkville, Bishop has paced the rushers in all but one game against Kentucky.
The Vols will need to establish a run game on Saturday after things fell stale against the Sooners. Bishop stands with 690 rushing yards on the year, good for an average of 6.7 per carry. He’s raced for nine touchdowns.
