[Tuck4Bama]

October 8, 2007

Mississippi State vs. Tenneessee
Last week: Beat UAB 30-13

Saturday: vs. Tennessee, 1:30 p.m. (Scott Field, Starkville)

TV: None

Radio: MSU Network (WOAD-105.9 FM in Jackson)

ON OFFENSE

A prolific passing offense led by Erik Ainge has paced the Vols this season. Ainge has completed 68 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns to two interceptions. By no coincidence, Tennessee's passing offense is statistically the best in the Southeastern Conference. But in Saturday's 35-14 win over Georgia, Tennessee found extra traction in a power running game. The Vols gained 190 yards against UGA, with Arian Foster two short of a hundred. He scored three touchdowns.

ON DEFENSE

As much as Tennessee has been prolific on offense, its problem is that other teams have been just as prolific against the Vols. Tennessee's scoring defense is the worst in the SEC, yielding 32.8 points per game. The high-water mark was the 59 points Florida scored in a nationally televised drubbing on Sept. 15. All-SEC junior linebacker Jerod Mayo leads the unit in tackles and another All-SEC player, senior free safety Jonathan Hefney, anchors the secondary.

INTANGIBLES

Mississippi State vs. Tenneessee