Tennessee Opponent Recap: Week 10

Tennessee (6-3, 2-3 SEC) defeated Tennessee Tech 55-0. The Vols received nine votes in the AP Poll and 12 votes in the Coaches Poll. Tennessee hosts the Kentucky Wildcats (5-4, 4-3 SEC) this Saturday. Kickoff is at noon on the SEC Network.

 SEC Standings

East                                                                                       West

1) Florida                                                                                 1) Alabama

2) Kentucky                                                                            2) Auburn

T-3) Georgia, South Carolina                                              3) Texas A&M

5) Tennessee                                                                           4) LSU

6) Vanderbilt                                                                          T-5) Arkansas, Miss. State

7) Missouri                                                                              7) Ole Miss

Opponent Recaps: 

Appalachian State defeats Texas State

The Appalachian State Mountaineers (7-2, 5-0 Sun Belt) defeated the Texas State Bobcats 35-10. Quarterback Taylor Lamb threw for just 120 yards, but had four touchdowns. Marcus Cox and Jalin Moore combined to rush for 248 yards and a score. The Vols defeated the Mountaineers 20-13 on September 1^st. The Mountaineers will face off against Troy on Saturday.

Virginia Tech edges Duke

The #19 Virginia Tech Hokies (7-2, 5-1 ACC) pulled out a 24-21 victory over the Duke Blue Devils. VT quarterback Jerod Evans threw for 192 yards and rushed for 83 yards and a score. In the second quarter, Adonis Alexander blocked a field goal and returned it 75 yards for a touchdown to give the Hokies momentum throughout the rest of the game. Tennessee defeated Virginia Tech 45-24 on September 10^th at the Battle at Bristol. The Hokies will host Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Ohio blasts Buffalo

The Ohio Bobcats (7-3, 5-1 MAC) blasted the Buffalo Bulls 34-10. Ohio quarterback Quinton Maxwell stole the show as he threw threw for 221 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 completions. UT defeated Ohio 28-19 on September 17^th. The Bobcats will play Central Michigan next Tuesday.

Florida falls to Arkansas

The #11 Florida Gators (6-2, 4-2 SEC) fell 10-31 to the Arkansas Razorbacks (6-3, 2-3 SEC). Florida couldn’t amount much of an offensive attack as quarterback Luke Del Rio threw for 229 yards and two interceptions. The Razorbacks gashed the defense almost all day long as running back Rawleigh Williams rushed for 148 yards and two scores. In addition, Austin Allen threw for 243 yards and a touchdown. The loss helps Tennessee’s chances to reach Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. If Tennessee wins out and Florida loses one more conference game, then the Vols will represent the East in December. UT defeated Florida 38-28 on September 24^th. Florida will host South Carolina at noon on Saturday.

Georgia pushes past Kentucky

The Georgia Bulldogs (5-4, 3-4 SEC) edged out a 27-24 win over the Kentucky Wildcats. UGA kicker Rodrigo Blankenship made a 25-yard field goal as time expired to give Georgia the win. Kentucky has surprised many this year and is currently second in the East after a slow start to the season. The Vols defeated Georgia 34-31 on October 1^st thanks to a last second Hail Mary. Tennessee hosts Kentucky on Saturday at noon.

Texas A&M shocked by Mississippi State

The No. 4 Texas A&M Aggies (7-2, 4-2 SEC) were upset 35-28 by Mississippi State (4-5, 2-3 SEC). Mississippi State quarterback Nick Fitzgerald had a career day as he threw for 209 yards and two touchdowns. Fitzgerald added two more scores on the ground with 182 rushing yards. UT lost 45-38 in double overtime in College Station on October 8^th. The Aggies will host Ole Miss on Saturday night.

Alabama powers past LSU

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (9-0, 6-0 SEC) powered past the LSU Tigers (5-3, 3-2 SEC) 10-0 for a crucial divisional victory. The score was tied at zero going into the fourth quarter until Jalen Hurts broke off a 21-yard touchdown run. Alabama also added a late field goal to solidify the lead. Nick Saban’s defense stifled Leonard Fournette as he only rushed for 35 yards. Alabama defeated Tennessee 49-10 on October 15^th. The Crimson Tide will host Mississippi State on Saturday.

South Carolina defeats Missouri

The South Carolina Gamecocks (5-4, 3-4 SEC) pulled out a 31-21 victory over the Missouri Tigers (2-7, 0-5 SEC) to extend their win streak to three games. Will Muschamp has found his quarterback as freshman Jake Bentley threw for 254 yards and two scores. The Gamecocks are on a three-game winning streak ever since Bentley has been the starter. Running back Rico Dowdle added another score on 149 rushing yards. Receiver Deebo Samuel had a solid game against the Vols last week and added another one by reeling in 125 yards on nine receptions. South Carolina defeated UT 24-21 on October 29^th. 

Vanderbilt loses to Auburn

The Vanderbilt Commodores (4-5, 1-4 SEC) suffered a close 23-16 loss to the No. 9 Auburn Tigers (7-2, 5-1 SEC). Vanderbilt’s offense has not been very good this year, but they finally had a solid showing as Kyle Shurmur threw for 221 yards and a touchdown. However, Shurmur threw a last-minute interception that helped Auburn secure the victory. Tennessee will travel to Nashville to face the Commodores on November 26^th.