RTI Game Predictions: Tennessee At LSU

Tennessee heads to No. 25 LSU looking for its SEC road opener with a chance to earn its third ranked win in five weeks.

Each week, the RTI team will provide game predictions for Tennessee’s weekly opponent.

We move on to LSU.

More From RTI: Three Keys For Tennessee At LSU

Ric Butler

With four games and the bye week in the rearview mirror, Tennessee is officially approaching the gauntlet stretch of the season. Which is why it will be so important for Tennessee to get a win in Baton Rouge on Saturday.

LSU is a good team with impressive pieces. The Tigers even had shades of Heupel’s first season last year in the handbook of quality first year coaching turnarounds. That being said, though, I don’t believe that LSU is strong enough in the right spots to beat Tennessee right now. Like we’ve seen already this season, I think that Tennessee’s offense is going to force LSU into some overwhelming positions near the beginning of the game to play catch up by the end of the game. I do have respect for LSU’s offense, and we know that Tennessee’s defense certainly can bend on a drive, but I don’t think they’ll be able to score on pace with Tennessee.

Turnovers will be critical. Fortunately, this is a Tennessee team that isn’t turning the ball over through the air despite some troubles on the ground. Regardless though, I believe that if Tennessee can play a clean game, this one should be in the bag. I think this is a chance for Tennessee to establish themselves as a true contender as opposed to a hot team with a great start to the season. I could be wrong here, but this is the first time this season that I aam going to put all of my eggs into the Tennessee basket. The Vols have had some close victories this year and could really benefit from a quality four-quarter win. I won’t be picking that for Alabama, so let’s just go ahead and do that this week.

Prediction: Tennessee 34, LSU 20

Ryan Schumpert

Tennessee is looking to stay unbeaten on the season as it faces its greatest road test to this point in the season. Brian Kelly has righted the ship after a season opening loss against Florida State, winning four straight entering Saturday matchups. That doesn’t mean LSU isn’t without its flaws as its defensive backfield has been prone to give up big plays and its passing offense is lackluster at best. LSU’s passing attack an easily stopped force while Tennessee’s pass defense is an easily moved object. Something has to give Saturday as the Vols look to avoid their mistakes from the win over Florida. There’s a handful of factors that plays into Tennessee’s favor. The 11 a.m. local time kick off is a nice break. LSU won a hard fought rock fight with Auburn a week ago. Tennessee won’t be facing a desperate Tigers’ team on Saturday. Quarterback Jayden Daniels is coming off a game that he didn’t finish due to a knee injury. If that limits his willingness to run than that’s a big loss for LSU. While LSU was sweating things out on the Plains of Auburn, Tennessee was at home with its feet propped up. The Vols are well rested entering this game. It doesn’t hurt that Josh Heupel is 6-1 in his career coming off of an open date while his offenses are averaging 45 points per game in those seven contests. Tennessee earned its best win of the 2021 season came off of the open date. Tennessee is the better team and when you add those factors I think the Vols roll in Baton Rouge.

Prediction: Tennessee 45, LSU 27