Jay Greeson and Chris Lee preview Tennessee’s road trip to Starkville, where they’ll be greeted by thousands of maroon-clad cowbells in a contest in which FanDuel favors the Vols by 8 1/2. Topics in our preview include:

Mississippi State’s defensive performance has gone under the radar. The Bulldogs allow just 4.3 yards per play and 11.8 yards per game.

Tennessee’s banged-up defense got torched by Georgia in the passing game and then allowed 394 yards to UAB last week. However, the Volunteers have been great on third downs under Josh Heupel due to a disruptive front seven that perennially ranks among the nation’s best in stops for loss.

Quarterbacks Blake Shapen and Joey Aguilar have been everything their teams have needed.

The Vols' Chris Brazzell has developed into one of the league’s top play-makers.

Mississippi State used the transfer portal effectively to get targets for Shapen, and is running the ball better with Fluff Bothwell and company than it has in years.

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