KNOXVILLE – Tennessee’s Nigel Warrior isn’t inclined to revisit the past. The Vols’ senior safety was clear about the aversion this week when asked about his improved play this season.
He made an exception, though, regarding Missouri.
The Vols (5-5, 3-3 SEC) face the Tigers (5-5, 2-4) on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. (TV: SEC Network, 7:30 p.m.). UT has won three consecutive games and is one victory short of attaining bowl eligibility.
Tennessee has lost two in a row against Missouri, however, by the identical lopsided scores of 50-17.
Warrior thinks the memory of those routs serve the Vols’ competitive purpose.
“It means a lot because we haven’t shown who we really are the last two years,” he said. “Even this year we haven’t really shown who we are (yet).
“With the wins that (Missouri) got, I don’t think we played … we just fell off and just didn’t care. I think it’s going to mean something this year and we’re going to play harder than we ever have before.”
With that objective in mind, UT coach Jeremy Pruitt said on Wednesday that the Vols’ last two practices were their best of the season.
“Our guys seem to be gaining some confidence,” he said, “and I’m talking about confidence in what they’re doing.”
Here’s some other storylines related to Saturday’s game.
About the QBs: Pruitt said during the SEC coaches’ teleconference on Wednesday that he had decided on a starting quarterback for Saturday’s game but wouldn’t reveal his choice until prior to the game.
He talked about Missouri’s quarterback later during his final pregame press conference, saying Kelly Bryant is someone who “stretches you all over the field with is arm talent and leg talent. It will be a tremendous challenge for us.”
Missouri has its own challenges. Its offense hasn’t scored a touchdown in more than nine quarters – 30 consecutive possessions to be exact. Tigers offensive coordinator Derek Dooley, the former UT coach, told reporters this week that “we’re kind of, a little bit, in football hell right now.”
Bowl situation: The primary bowl projections for Tennessee at this point involve the Liberty, Music City and Gator Bowls.
The Vols’ last bowl appearance was the Music City in Nashville to conclude the 2016 season. They beat Nebraska 38-24 on Dec. 30 to finish 9-4.
Special teams: Tennessee’s special teams have been consistent this season in terms of producing points and enhancing field position, which may be important against the Tigers.
Brent Cimaglia’s 19 field goals are tied for the most by an SEC kicker this season and are tied for fifth most nationally. His field goal percentage of 90.5 percent (19 for 21) is first in the conference.
“The thing I like about (Cimaglia) is that I think he could play middle linebacker,” Pruitt said after Cimaglia kicked three field goals in a 30-7 victory over UAB on Nov. 2. “I like that guy. If he misses one, he jumps up there and wants to hit another one and he doesn’t go and try to hide somewhere. He wants to get up there and do it again. I think he has a really good makeup about him.”
Tennessee has made 213 consecutive conversion kicks, which is the nation’s second-longest streak behind Georgia’s 218.
The Vols have has just seven kickoff returns and 109 return yards, which rank third and second in the nation respectively. Paxton Brooks has had touchbacks on 38 of his 50 kickoffs.
Notebook: Pruitt on UT’s overall health: “There might be a couple of guys that might be a little bit limited, but we should have everybody ready to play.” … Pruitt said running back Carlin Fils-aime is redshirting and will return next season as a fifth-year senior.
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri who covered University of Tennessee athletics for the Knoxville News Sentinel from 1988-2019. He may be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com