Might the Tennessee Volunteers look past Bowling Green to perceived ‘stronger opponents’ on the schedule?
Appalachian State shocked Michigan. Central Florida defeated Auburn in a major bowl game. Boise State vanquished mighty Oklahoma in another post-season clash. Will BG add its name to that list?
Despite being a 35-point underdog with a predicted 3% chance of winning (ESPN Football Power Index), hope springs eternal for BG’s QB Matt McDonald, defensive back Davon Ferguson, and tight end Christian Sims, among many others.
Standing in their way of gridiron glory is an army of 100,000 strong and the new-look Volunteers led by the former University of Central Florida head coach Josh Heupel, quarterback Joe Milton III, a University of Michigan transfer, and JUCO transfer RB Tiyon Evans.
Heupel knows what it takes to win at the college level, doing it himself as a player at Oklahoma (winning a national championship) and succeeding as a head coach at UCF (28-8). Milton is a seasoned player, having racked up 1,077 yards last season in Ann Arbor against stiff competition in the likes of Ohio State and Wisconsin. Tiyon Evans rushed for 538 yards and scored nine touchdowns in 12 games last year at Hutchinson Junior College. All that experience will help the Vols seek success against a rugged slate of SEC foes.
First, though, the road begins with BGSU. Will Heupel, Milton, and Evens lead Tennessee back to prominence? Or will the Falcons spring a huge surprise?
Find out by watching the game on the SEC Network. The kickoff is 8p. Eastern.
