Can Tennessee pick itself up off the mat after the tough loss to Oklahoma? With the SEC season kicking off next week against Florida, the Vols have to put the collapse in the past. Western Carolina is just good enough to make this a major fight if the Vols aren’t sharp. Can this be a trap game? Check out the Tennessee vs. Western Carolina game preview and prediction.

Tennessee vs. Western Carolina Prediction & Preview

Broadcast

Date: Saturday, September 19
Game Time: 7:00 pm
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Network: ESPNU

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Why You Need To Care

Western Carolina is a good, sound, veteran team coming off a rough 28-10 loss at Citadel. The passing game is dangerous, the defense has been decent in the first two weeks, and there’s just enough talent to provide more than just a little bit of a push. It’s been a building process under head coach Mark Spier, but there’s plenty of upside.

Tennessee might have as much good young talent as anyone in the SEC, but it’s not quite coming together. The passing game has been way too lousy, and the defense has struggled in key parts of the first two games. It’s fine that this is still a rising program under Butch Jones, but with the SEC season about to kick in, this is the last chance for this young group to grow up.

Why Western Carolina Will Win

Experience. The Catamounts have 11 starters back from a decent 2014 offense and ten starters on D, led by receiver Spearman Robinson and quarterback Troy Mitchell. They didn’t show it last week in an awful performance in the loss to Citadel – C.J. Goodman was the receiving star – but the tandem is good enough to push a shaky Tennessee secondary. The balance is there with Detrez Newsome coming off a 121-yard day.

Why Tennessee Will Win

The Vols should be able to grind their way to a win. Citadel is a different animal running the ball, but it was able to use its spread attack to crank out 341 yards last week and keep Western Carolina pressing all game long. The Catamount secondary hasn’t been pushed too much, but this is the game to do it. Tennessee knows it can run the ball when it absolutely has to against a team like this, but it has to prove it can get the air show flying, which is why …

Player Who Matters

Joshua Dobbs needs to have a big day. Awful at times against Oklahoma, he couldn’t get the offense moving and he struggled to put the game away – the Sooners stayed alive, and they found a way to win. Dobbs completed just 13-of-31 passes for 125 yards with a touchdown and an interception, and despite a rushing score was never able to get into a rhythm. When he’s on the move – he was held to 12 yards on 14 carries – he makes more big things happen. However, he has to use this game to start getting his receivers more involved down the field.

What’s Going To Happen?

Tennessee will come out roaring. After the way the Oklahoma game ended, expect a sharper, crisper performance from a team that’s not going to be looking ahead to Florida.

Tennessee vs. Western Carolina Score Prediction

Final Score: Tennessee 45, Western Carolina 13, Line: No Line, o/u: No Line

Must See Rating: 5: Republican Debate, Second Round – 1: Republican Debate, First Round … 1.5

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