Talk about a disappointing start to the season.
Both Tennessee (0-1) and BYU (0-1) began their 2019 seasons with losses last week, though one was certainly more embarrassing than the other.
The Cougars played on Thursday night against their heated rival — the Utah Utes. BYU held their own for a half, but No. 14 Utah prevailed in the end by a score of 30-12. Two pick-sixes did the Cougars in, as did the rushing attack of the Utes’ offense.
The Vols, meanwhile, suffered a historic loss.
Tennessee fell by a score of 38-30 to Sun Belt opponent Georgia State. The loss marked the first time ever that UT had lost to a Sun Belt team, and it gave Georgia State their first-ever victory over a Power Five school. If not for a garbage time touchdown with two seconds left on the clock, the Vols would’ve lost the game by 15 points on the final scoreboard.
Both teams are looking to bounce back after their 2019 seasons started off on a sour note, but only one can get the victory on Saturday night in Neyland Stadium.
Surprisingly, this Saturday’s match-up marks the first time BYU and Tennessee have played on the football field. The two programs are both rich in tradition and history, but this weekend’s contest will be the first time the two schools have ever faced each other.
BYU is led by sophomore quarterback Zach Wilson, who’s just as dangerous running the ball as he is throwing it. The Cougars had a top-30 defense in the FBS last season, and while they lost some talent from last year’s defense, the 2019 team still has a solid group of defenders.
Tennessee and BYU are looking to avoid a disastrous 0-2 start to their respective seasons, but only one team will be able to come away with a victory late Saturday night. The losing team will have a lot of questions to answer.
Make sure you check out our opponent preview of the BYU Cougars. Take a look at what we’re “buying and selling” about the game, and you can also check out our score predictions for the match-up.
If you can’t make it to Neyland Stadium today, here’s how you can watch or listen to the Vols’ match-up with the BYU Cougars.
Kickoff: 7:00 Eastern, September 7th, Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, TN)
TV: ESPN (Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy, Tom Luginbill)
Streaming Online: ESPN.com/Watch, ESPN app
Radio: Vol Network, Sirius 121, XM 192
Line: Tennessee (-3.5)
