Tennessee (5-0, 2-0 SEC) jumped up to #9 in the AP and Coaches poll after defeating #25 Georgia 34-31. The Vols are first in the SEC East and will face #7 Texas A&M at College Station on Saturday. The Aggies open up as a 6.5 favorite over Tennessee. In addition, College GameDay will host the UT/A&M game.
Appalachian State survives Georgia State
The Appalachian State Mountaineers (3-2) survived Georgia State with a 17-3 victory. The Mountaineers relied on the run game, as Jalin Moore ran for 159 yards and a score. Both teams were scoreless in the third until Moore broke off a 45-yard run for a touchdown. Tennessee defeated Appalachian State 20-13 on September 1st. The Mountaineers’ next game is against Louisiana-Lafayette on October 12th.
Virginia Tech has a week off
The Hokies (3-1, 0-0 ACC) had this past weekend off. The Vols defeated the Hokies 45-24 on September 10th in the Battle at Bristol. Virginia Tech will kick off ACC play this Saturday against North Carolina.
Ohio beats Miami (OH)
The Ohio Bobcats (3-2) defeated the Miami Redhawks 17-7. The game was mainly a defensive battle as Ohio only rushed for 141 total yards. Bobcat quarterback Greg Windham threw for 56 yards and scored Ohio’s only offensive touchdown on a nine-yard rush. Tennessee defeated Ohio 28-19 on September 17th. The Bobcats will face Bowling Green on Saturday.
Florida escapes Vanderbilt
The #23 Florida Gators (3-1, 2-1 SEC) pulled out a tough 13-6 win against the Vanderbilt Commodores (2-3, 0-2 SEC). Austin Appleby went 19-of-28 for 144 yards, while running back Jordan Scarlett scored Florida’s only touchdown. Commodore quarterback Kyle Shurmur had a rough outing as he went 9-of-25 for 82 yards and an interception. Ralph Webb rushed for 110 yards. The Vols defeated the Gators 38-28 on September 24th and will travel to Vanderbilt on November 26th.
Texas A&M downs South Carolina
The #7 Texas A&M Aggies (5-0, 3-0 SEC) grabbed a 24-13 victory over the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-3, 1-2 SEC). A&M quarterback Trevor Knight threw for 206 yards and added 84 more on the ground. Trayveon Williams ran for another 98 yards and a touchdown. For South Carolina, Perry Orth threw for 138 yards, while running back A.J. Turner ran for 113 yards and a score on just 10 carries. The Vols will travel to College Station this Saturday to face the Aggies for a top-10 matchup. Tennessee will play the Gamecocks in Columbia on October 29th.
Tennessee Tech edges Eastern Kentucky
The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (2-3) edged out a 33-30 overtime victory against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. It’s been a tough start for EKU and head coach Mark Elder (former UT special teams coordinator/tight ends coach) as the Colonels are currently 1-3. TTU quarterback Michael Birdsong passed for a career-high 327 yards, three passing touchdowns, and a rushing touchdown. Birdsong’s favorite target was Dontez Byrd who reeled in 116 yards and two scores on just seven receptions. The Vols will host Tennessee Tech for Homecoming on November 5th.
Alabama rolls Kentucky
The #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-0, 2-0 SEC) dealt the Kentucky Wildcats (2-3, 1-1 SEC) a 34-6 loss. Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts had another big day as he threw for 262 yards and two touchdowns. Freshman running back Joshua Jacobs also had another solid day as he ran for 100 yards and a score. Kentucky couldn’t get anything going on offense. Running back Jojo Kemp only rushed for 39 yards and Stephen Johnson threw for 89 yards. The Vols will play Alabama on October 15th and the Wildcats on November 12th.
Missouri falls to LSU
In Ed Orgeron’s first game as interim head coach, the LSU Tigers (3-2, 2-1 SEC) ran away with a 42-7 win over the Missouri Tigers (2-3, 0-2 SEC). Missouri couldn’t get much going against LSU’s defense as Drew Lock only completed 45% of his passes for 167 yards and an interception. LSU running back Derrius Guice ran all over Missouri’s defense with 163 yards and three touchdowns. Tennessee will host Missouri on November 19th.
