Scully’s Gator Bowl preview: Indiana vs. Tennessee

The Gator Bowl on January 2 features a clash between the Big Ten and SEC.  Indiana won eight games for the first time since 1993 and finished fourth in the difficult Big Ten East, behind Ohio State, Penn State and Michigan. Tennessee came on strong after a 1-4 start and won its final five games to finish 7-5 and third in the SEC East.

Gator Bowl: Indiana vs. Tennessee, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN)

The Volunteers have experience on their side

The Volunteers are bigger and more experienced than Indiana, which is one of the youngest teams in the nation, with only 13 seniors and 18 juniors on the roster. Tennessee was mixing lineups on the offensive line in the final weeks of the preseason and got off to a dreadful start, with home losses to Georgia State and BYU in the first two weeks.

Embarrassing losses to Florida and Georgia forced Jeremy Pruitt to begin alternating between three quarterbacks, and Jarrett Guarantano underwent surgery to repair a wrist injury in late October. Guarantano regained the starter’s role with improved play down the stretch, got the ball to star receiver Jauan Jennings (57 catches, 842 yards and eight touchdowns) as much as possible and Tennessee has relied upon outstanding defense during its current win streak.

Bryce Thompson (three interceptions) and Nigel Warrior (four interceptions) highlight a terrific defensive backfield, and Tennessee enters with the nation’s 26th-ranked pass defense. Daniel Bituli, Darrell Taylor and Henry To'o To'o are other defensive players to watch, and the Vols allowed only 14 points per game since late October.

Tennessee must contain Philyor to win

This game will be strength against strength, as Indiana ranked 14th nationally with 3,704 passing yards. The Hoosiers have a dynamic playmaker in Whop Philyor, who had 69 catches and 1,001 yards despite missing nearly two games, and they can run the ball behind Stevie Scott and Sampson James, who are both expected back after missing the last game to injury. Starting offensive tackle Matthew Bedford will also return to the lineup.

Indiana received good news when first-year offensive coordinator Kalen DeBoer, who has been hired as Fresno State’s new head coach, elected to stay with the team through the bowl game. He has made a big difference for quarterback Peyton Ramsey, who played well after taking over full time, and I give Indiana a significant edge on offense.

Tennessee will be shorthanded

Tennessee will miss Jennings, who is suspended for the first half, and the Vols could get off to a slow start because of the injury of center Brandon Kennedy, who is unlikely to play. Kennedy is the only lineman to start every game this season. Ryan Johnson, a key contributor, has left the team to enter transfer portal, and Tennessee could be shifting rotations up front again.

Indiana will start fast, build an early advantage and have too much offense for Tennessee.

NCAAF free pick: Indiana +1.5

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