There have been no hiccups so far for the two first-year coaches involved in this game, and neither Oregon nor Tennessee has been challenged in the early going. We might be able to say the same about Oregon after this contest, but Tennessee is up for a test it does not often see outside of the SEC.
How to watch Tennessee vs. Oregon: Preview, TV schedule, odds and more
A date with the Ducks’ offense looms for the Volunteers.
Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
The Ducks’ offense looks like the same death machine it was under Chip Kelly, averaging more than nine yards per play over the first two games. Oregon most recently demolished Virginia in Charlottesville, racking up 59 points along the way. The Vols would prefer not to have things escalate like that, but whether or not they’re capable of doing anything about it remains to be seen.
The numbers
Rankings and records: Both teams come in at 2-0, and the Ducks are in prime position for another national title game with a No. 2 ranking in both major polls. The teams have met once before -- Oregon beat the Vols, 48-13, in 2010.
Vegas: Oregon opened as a 21.5-point favorite, though the line has since moved to 27.5-28 points, depending on which book you use. The over/under opened at 73, and now sits at 70.
Weather: A high of 87 is expected, and there’s no chance of rain.
Three names to know
De'Anthony Thomas -- The Ducks' home run hitter is the embodiment of Oregon's offensive philosophy, and with a bigger workload thus far, he appears headed for huge year. He has five touchdowns on 29 carries this season, putting him in the end zone on every sixth touch or so, and he's averaging 8.7 yards per carry.
Marcus Mariota -- In addition to his efforts passing the ball, Mariota has 235 yards rushing already, and that's on just nine carries. Have fun with all that, Tennessee.
Rajion Neal -- The Vols have kept the pressure off quarterback Justin Worley by focusing heavily on the ground game, led by Neal. He has 215 yards rushing on 31 carries this season, good for an average of 6.9 yards per rush.
Two things at stake
Considering that No. 1 Alabama is on the road at Texas A&M this week, the top ranking in the polls might be at stake for Oregon. In any event, the Ducks are already national title game frontrunners, making a loss to Tennessee especially devastating.
And just how good is Butch Jones’ first Tennessee team? The Vols will learn a lot about themselves this week, for better and for worse, and that’s a good thing. A solid showing would give them some confidence heading into next week’s road trip to Florida.
How to witness
TV: ABC (3:30 p.m. ET)
Further reading
For complete coverage and analysis of Oregon football, check out Addicted to Quack. For all things Tennessee, visit Rocky Top Talk.
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