Mississippi State football plays host to the No. 15 Tennessee Volunteers for what is the biggest game played in Starkville in several years. Tennessee is off to a 3-1 start with their lone loss being an overtime defeat to Georgia. They're a legit SEC contender and should be in the mix to return to the playoff. Let's take a look at the Vols...
Previewing the Tennessee offense
After a pair of subpar years offensively, the Volunteers look more like we expect from them under Josh Heupel. They're averaging 53.5 points and 554 yards per game, and that's not just inflated by playing lesser competition. They scored 41 on Georgia, easily their best performance against the Bulldogs since Heupel took over.
QB Joey Aguilar is a big reason for their success. The transfer is completing 66.7% of his passes for 281 yards a game with 12 TDs and just three picks. He gets the ball out quickly (just two sacks on the season), can make plays with his legs, and is happy to give his WRs chances downfield.
And he's got a great group of WRs. Chris Brazzell has broken out with 25 catches, 426 yards, and six scores. Young wideouts Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews have flashed, and TE Miles Kitselman is a threat over the middle. The rushing attack is a strength too with the RB trio of Star Thomas, DeSean Bishop, and Peyton Lewis leading a ground game that averages over 216 yards per game.
Previewing the Tennessee defense
Hopes were high for the Volunteer defense with plenty of talent returning after a fantastic 2024, but the unit hasn't quite lived up to the hype. They're allowing 27.8 PPG and 372.3 YPG. Injuries have played a major role with major pieces in the secondary and defensive interior missing time.
What has been good for the Vol defense is their pass rush. They've totaled 15 sacks on the season, tied for 5th nationally. DE Joshua Josephs leads the way with 3.0 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles. The defensive front as a whole has been a strength despite some injuries, and it should only get better with the return of DT Jaxson Moi. They're holding teams to 93 rush yards per game.
Pass defense, on the other hand, is a real issue for Tennessee. Neither starting corner - Jermod McCoy and Rickey Gibson III - has played this season (and won't vs State), and they've been sorely missed. Colton Hood has performed well in their absence, but he's the lone bright spot for a secondary that's surrendering 270 pass YPG.
How does Mississippi State matchup with Tennessee?
This is the biggest test of the season so far by a substantial margin for Mississippi State, but the Bulldogs should be able to compete with the Volunteers. When it comes to the passing game on either side of the ball, it's possible for State to hold their own. MSU's WRs will absolutely challenge the Tennessee secondary, and MSU's CBs will be up to the test against the Vol wideouts.
The concern is in the trenches. Dealing with the Tennessee pass rush and finding running lanes againt the Vol front will not be easy for State's OL. On the flipside, State has looked a bit leaky defending the run since the second half against Arizona State, and the pass rush still has not emerged. For the Bulldogs to have a real chance, they'll need much better line play than they've had thus far.