A quick look at Tennessee:
The Vols return five starters on offense and six on defense from a team that finished 9-4 (4-4 in the SEC) in 2016. Their season concluded with a win over Nebraska in the Music City Bowl. The only statistical number to jump out is they finished #104 in rushing defense.
Probably the most interesting fact about Tennessee is their mind-boggling recruiting. The Vols 2018 recruiting class is currently ranked 6th nationally and #1 in the SEC. Tennessee's back-up QB Jarrett Guarantano is a four-star recruit from New Jersey. The vols have tons of talent in every position on their roster.
All that talent has caused some unrest in Knoxville because the last time the Vols won the National Championship was 1998, the same year UMass won the FCS Championship. So far this year the Vols edged by Georgia Tech, blew out Indiana State 42-7 and lost a close game to Florida.
RB John Kelly leads the Vols rushing 53-352 6.2 AVE 5 TD's. Quinton Dormady is Tennessee's #! QB. He's gone 54-94 674 5 TD's 4 INT's 126.72 EFF.
UMass has been unable to run the ball against much lesser teams this year. Indiana State did manage 128 yards against the Vols defense. The Minutemen defense has been scrappy the last two games. They need to keep that up. Keep playing and work on improving. The UMass offense will have to pass the ball, since we can't run. I think UMass will score some points. If we turn the ball over, this could be a blowout. The Minutemen are 5-0 ATS against SEC teams over the last five games.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mark Chiarelli of MassLive reports UMass is prepping for Tennessee.
Matty Vautour has a podcast and a story about UMass' trip to Knoxville.
Mike Traini of "Fight Massachusetts" previews the Minutemen-Volunteers game.
Clarksville Online says Tennessee host UMass Saturday.
The Berkshire Eagle reports UMass is searching for a win.
Tennessee HC Butch Jones says UMass is better than their record.
The Knoxville News reports UMass' passing game is a threat.
The Vols defense has been hit with some significant injuries.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I watched Temple play UMass' once-and-future opponent USF last night. The Owls lost 7-42. Temple managed just 85 yards of offense and totaled -4 yards rushing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------