This year’s Gator Bowl kicks off at 7 pm and puts the Indiana Hoosiers against the Tennessee Volunteers. The B1G/SEC showdown is the third bowl game that matches the two conferences together. They are currently tied at one apiece.
Tom Allen has the Hoosiers with their highest win total since 1993. Should Indiana win he would tie the program record with nine wins and reach the total for the first time since 1967. In his third season he had the Hoosiers ranked for the first since 1994, and has achieved the third winning season this millennium.
The Hoosiers lone losses this season are all to teams that were ranked at the time, three of which are still ranked. They dropped games to Ohio State, Michigan State, Penn State and Purdue. They have managed impressive defensive work in their wins, holding four different teams to three points or less.
The offense is led by quarterback Peyton Ramsey. The third-year player out of Ohio is second in the conference in completion percentage at 69.2%. Despite a quick hiatus during a quarterback shuffle midseason, he is the go-to guy behind center for the bowl game.
Jeremy Pruitt has increased the Volunteers’ win total each year he’s been head coach. (Photo by footballscoop.com).
Tennessee’s season got off to a very rocky start. They were the laughingstock of the SEC after the first five games. Jeremy Pruitt’s job was in jeopardy after embarrassing losses to Georgia State and BYU at home.
Everything seemed to turn around after the Georgia loss. The Volunteers went on a 6-1 run that nobody thought would be possible and put themselves in position for a respectable bowl game. Their lone loss was a competitive game at Alabama. They are currently on a five-game winning streak.
Tennessee is led by third-year starter Jarrett Guarantano. He has improved upon last year’s numbers despite seeing limited action in the middle of the season due to injury. He has amounted 1,937 yards along with 16 touchdowns and six interceptions.
Tennessee has struggled mightily on offense this season. They come in as the worst offense among bowl-eligible SEC teams. Guarantano mans a respectable enough passing game but the rushing game is very weak.
Indiana has a very able defense that should be able to keep Tennessee in check. Tennessee will need to rely on their defense as has been the case for many games this season. Ramsey and the Hoosier offense have proven they are very capable of putting up points in a hurry. If it stays close, it should be a low scoring game.
Indiana: 17, Tennessee: 20
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