The Tennessee State Tigers launch into Big South-OVC play this weekend when they head to Cookeville, TN to take on Tennessee Tech. Last season, Tech throttled TSU 35–0 in a performance in which according to Tennessee State head coach Eddie George on the most recent Big South OVC media call, “they whooped our ass.”
Tennessee Tech
Tennessee Tech comes into the contest 0-2, suffering a 48-3 beating at the hands of no.1 ranked Georgia in the season opener. In the Eagle’s next contest their upset big against instate foe Middle Tennessee fell short. A diving effort from Jordan Yates to haul in a Jordyn Potts the the corner of the end zone lifted the Eagles to a 25-24 lead late in the contest. MTSU needed just 44 seconds and 7 plays to travel 75 yards, taking the lead for good on Frank Peasant’s 30-yard scamper with just 16 left that put the Blue Raiders up 32-25. Potts, who entered the game in relief of injured started Dylan Laible completed 27 of 38 passes for 256 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Tennessee State
Tennessee State enters the matchup 2-1 and fresh off a 41-28 win over Arkansas Pine Bluff in the 35th Southern Heritage Classic. In the win, Tenessee State showed itself for large portions of the game to be the superior team, building a 38-14 lead. However the win was uneven, as as was the case in last season’s matchup with UAPB, TSU was poised to run away with the game, but the Golden Lions initiated a furious comeback that brought them as close as ten points before the effort was ultimately snuffed out.
Once again quarterback Draylen Ellis was sharp, completing 21 of 33 passes for 226 yards and 3 touchdowns, but most importantly no interceptions, as Ellis has yet to throw a pick on the season. He was named the game’s MVP and was named Big South-OVC Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his on-field exploits. The graduate student has shown a command of the offense and solid decision making at a level not seen in his time at TSU.
Prediction
The Tennessee State offense will have opportunities against Tennessee Tech. The Eagles’ defense allows 142.0 rushing yards per game, which is an even greater clip than the 135.3 that Tennessee State averages on the season. The TTU defesnse has not yet shown a propensity for getting to the opposing quarterback, which will bode well for TSU signal caller Draylen Ellis. Given time to survey the field he will be able to take advantage of a defense that allows 271 yards through the air per game. Ball security for the Tigers will be paramount, as the TSU does not want to aid a Tennessee Tech defesnse is not one that forces a great deal of turnovers.
If Dylan Laible is unable to go for Tennessee Tech, Jordyn Potts has shown he can step in and play at a high level against top-end talent, as he did against Middle Tennessee State. It will be vital that the Tigers’ defense remains vigilant in their coverage assignments, as the TTU passing attack can punish them with big plays if they do not. The TSU defense ranks second in the Bog South-OVC in sacks, with 10 through their first three games, and it is imperative that Eriq George and the defensive front are able to get pressure on TTU signal callers, be it Potts or Laible.
Final Score: Tennessee State 29 Tennessee Tech 20
