Vols Must Play Through Distractions Against Battle Tested Missouri Team

   If Tennessee can upset 19th ranked Missouri, they’ll become bowl eligible for the first time in four years.

But that doesn’t concern head coach Butch Jones.

"No pressure. We just have the goal of being the best football team we can possibly be. That takes care of itself. If you remember, our number one goal is to be the best football team we can possibly be, and the wins will take care of themselves. We have made monumental strides in our culture and mentality."

    Speaking of monumental strides, that would definitely describe the play of sophomore quarterback Josh Dobbs.

Since being inserted against Alabama, Dobbs has thrown for 790-yards in three games.

Said Jones,"We’re seeing that evolution. We’re seeing that process and also his leadership. Leadership comes with having some success and with having confidence."

Said Dobbs,"Winning and playing good football really helps with our confidence. Definitely not only me but with the offense as a whole. We’re gelling right now, and we’ve got to keep it going."

   But Dobbs will face a battle-tested road team in Missouri.

Said Jones,"When you look at Missouri, they’ve won seven straight SEC road games in-a-row. Nine road games overall, which is very, very impressive. We you think about them it first starts defensively. They’re number one in the SEC in sacks and number six in the country overall."

   A Vols victory would hand Georgia the SEC East title.

So does Tennessee relish the role of a spoiler?

Said Jones,"We’re here to win. Win and develop our football team. I don’t think about anything else. Putting our players in position to succeed on game day."