Tennessee football: Vols’ all-time results on Thursday

Tennessee football: Vols’ all-time results on Thursday

Tennessee opens its 2022 season Thursday at Neyland Stadium against Ball State.

The meeting is the first between the two schools.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and will be televised by SEC Network.

Thursday’s game represents the second consecutive Thursday season-opener against a Mid-American Conference opponent.

The Vols defeated Bowling Green, 38-6, last season, under first-year head coach Josh Heupel.

Tennessee is 3-0 in season-opening Thursday contests.

Tennessee defeated Appalachian State, 20-13 in overtime to kick off the 2016  season. The Vols defeated Louisville, 28-11, in 1991.

The Vols are 16-5-2 in games played at Neyland Stadium and hold a 27-21-7 all time mark in contests played on Thursday.

[vertical-gallery id=45552]

Tennessee-Ball State score predictions

Week 1: Tennessee-Ball State football score predictions

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic are on the call.

Thursday’s contest is the first between the Vols and Cardinals.

Tennessee releases depth chart ahead of Ball State game

Tennessee football: Vols’ season-opening game results since 2000

Tennessee announces uniform combination for Ball State game

Ball State releases depth chart ahead of Tennessee game

Ahead of the Week 1 matchup, Vols Wire provides score predictions for the Tennessee-Ball State game.

Score predictions for the Tennessee-Ball State matchup are listed below.

2022 Vols’ football: How to watch, listen to Tennessee-Ball State

2022 Vols’ football: How to watch and listen to Tennessee-Ball State

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday.

Tennessee will host Ball State at Neyland Stadium. The meeting is the first between the Vols and Cardinals.

Thursday’s contest is the first of two games Tennessee will play against Mid-American Conference opponents this season. The Vols will host Akron Sept. 17 at Neyland Stadium (7 p.m. EDT, SEC Network+).

Tennessee releases depth chart ahead of Ball State game

Tennessee football: Vols’ season-opening game results since 2000

Tennessee announces uniform combination for Ball State game

Ball State releases depth chart ahead of Tennessee game

Below is kickoff time, television and radio information for the Tennessee-Ball State game.

Tennessee vs Ball State Prediction, Game Preview

Tennessee vs Ball State game preview, prediction, and breakdown for the Week 1 game on Thursday, September 1

Tennessee vs Ball State prediction, game preview, how to watch. Week 1, Thursday, September 1


Tennessee vs Ball State How To Watch

Date: Thursday, September 1
Game Time: 7:00 ET
Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
How To Watch: SEC Network
Record: Tennessee (0-0), Ball State (0-0)
Sign up and live stream college football on ESPN+

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

CFN Preview 2021: All 131 Teams
CFN Predictions of Every Game
ACC | Big Ten | Big 12 | Pac-12 | SEC
AAC | C-USA | Ind | MAC | M-West | Sun Belt
2022 Bowl Projections | Preseason Rankings 1-131
Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

Tennessee vs Ball State Game Preview

Why Ball State Will Win

Is the Tennessee defense any better than the version that couldn’t do anything against decent passing games, and is the offensive line any stronger in pass protection?

The Vol front five was outstanding for the ground game, but it gave up a ton of sacks and way too many pressures. Ball State might not have the bulk up front, but the front seven can move and should be able to get into the backfield.

In a perfect world, the Cardinal running game works right away, the line that was good in pass protection allows QB John Paddock time to keep the chains moving, and the team finds a way to take advantage of the time of possession advantage.

Tennessee won’t care how long it has the ball for – Ball State has to somehow work the clock and shorten the game. However …

Week 1 CFN College Football Expert Picks

Why Tennessee Will Win

Ball State isn’t big on the whole ball control thing, either.

Tennessee might have been the worst in the nation in time of possession, but Ball State wasn’t terribly far behind, holding the ball for just 27:31 per game.

The Cardinal offense is good at dinking and dunking, but it’s not going to crank up the downfield plays, even against the potentially leaky Volunteer secondary.

There’s going to be a big problem for the visitors if Tennessee can get out to a hot start.

The third down stops aren’t going to be there on a regular basis, and the Ball State attack doesn’t have the parts to keep up in a firefight. As long as Vol QB Hendon Hooker gets a little bit of time, he should go off.

Week 1 Schedule, Predictions, Game Previews, Thursday & Friday

What’s Going To Happen

Ball State won’t be a total pushover, but this should be target practice for the Tennessee offense.

Hooker will be sharp on the first few drives, there will be a decent balance to the offense, and Ball State won’t be able to capitalize on enough decent drives to keep up.

Ball State needs to keep this in the high-20s-low 30s, and the Vols won’t oblige.

All of the CFN Predictions

Tennessee vs Ball State Prediction, Line

Tennessee 47, Ball State 17
Line: Tennessee -32.5, o/u: 67.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3

Tennessee vs Ball State Must See Rating: 2

5: ‘Billie Jean’
1: Aidan Hutchinson’s rendition of ‘Billie Jean’

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

Predictions of Every Game
Bowl Projections | Rankings
Schedules For All 131 Teams

MAC Preseason Predictions For Every Game: Preview 2022

MAC preseason predictions for every game, predicted order of finish, and lookahead to the 2022 season.

One thing is for sure – someone will come out of nowhere and become a player.

Northern Illinois went from worst-to-first last season, and it’ll be another team that screws up all of the predictions and projections this year as it all comes together for …

Akron? That would be the biggest shocker.

Bowling Green? That’s more likely, but still a big stretch.

That’s what makes the MAC so much fun – it’s unpredictable in some ways, but the stars still usually show up.

The problem is the uneven level of the divisions. Unlike other conferences, the MAC won’t go to a no-division format – at least not yet – and in the preseason predictions, the West is far, far stronger than the East.

Those are the breaks in the crazy league, and again, there’s always a team that rises up to make everything more interesting. Here are the 2022 predictions for every MAC game.

2022 CFN College Football Preview of Every Team

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefoojotballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

MAC Preseason Predictions: East

MAC East Predicted Finish

T1. Kent State
T1. Miami University*
T3. Bowling Green
T3. Buffalo
T3. Ohio
6. Akron
*MU predicted to win East tie-breaker

Akron Zips

2022 Preseason Prediction: 1-11
2022 MAC Prediction: 0-8
2021: 2-10, Prediction: 2-10
2020: 1-5, 2019: 0-12, 2018: 4-8

Sept 1 Saint Francis W
Sept 10 at Michigan State L
Sept 17 at Tennessee L
Sept 24 at Liberty L
Oct 1 Bowling Green L
Oct 8 at Ohio L
Oct 15 at Central Michigan L
Oct 22 Kent State L
Oct 29 Miami University L
Nov 5 OPEN DATE
Nov 8 Eastern Michigan L
Nov 19 at Buffalo L
Nov 26 at Northern Illinois
 L
Akron Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Bowling Green Falcons

2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2022 MAC Prediction: 3-5
2021: 4-8, Prediction: 2-10
2020: 0-5, 2019: 3-9, 2018: 3-9

Sept 3 at UCLA L
Sept 10 Eastern Kentucky W
Sept 17 Marshall L
Sept 24 at Mississippi State L
Oct 1 at Akron W
Oct 8 Buffalo W
Oct 15 Miami University W
Oct 22 at Central Michigan L
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 2 Western Michigan L
Nov 9 Kent State L
Nov 15 at Toledo L
Nov 22 at Ohio L
Bowling Green Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Buffalo Bulls

2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2022 MAC Prediction: 3-5
2021: 4-8, Prediction: 6-6
2020: 6-1, 2019: 8-5, 2018: 10-4

Sept 3 at Maryland L
Sept 10 Holy Cross W
Sept 17 at Coastal Carolina L
Sept 24 at Eastern Michigan L
Oct 1 Miami University W
Oct 8 at Bowling Green L
Oct 15 at UMass W
Oct 22 Toledo L
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 1 at Ohio L
Nov 9 at Central Michigan L
Nov 19 Akron W
Nov 26 Kent State W
Buffalo Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Kent State Golden Flashes

2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2022 MAC Prediction: 5-3
2021: 7-7, Prediction: 6-6
2020: 3-1, 2019: 7-6, 2018: 5-7

Sept 1 at Washington L
Sept 10 at Oklahoma L
Sept 17 Long Island W
Sept 24 at Georgia L
Oct 1 Ohio W
Oct 8 at Miami University L
Oct 15 at Toledo L
Oct 22 Akron W
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 1 Ball State W
Nov 9 at Bowling Green W
Nov 16 Eastern Michigan W
Nov 26 at Buffalo L
Kent State Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Miami University RedHawks

2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2022 MAC Prediction: 5-3
2021: 7-6, Prediction: 6-6
2020: 2-1, 2019: 8-6, 2018: 6-6

Sept 3 at Kentucky L
Sept 10 Robert Morris W
Sept 17 vs Cincinnati L
Sept 24 at Northwestern L
Oct 1 at Buffalo L
Oct 8 Kent State W
Oct 15 at Bowling Green L
Oct 22 Western Michigan W
Oct 29 at Akron W
Nov 5 OPEN DATE
Nov 8 Ohio W
Nov 16 at Northern Illinois L
Nov 22 Ball State W
Miami Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Ohio Bobcats

2021 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2021 MAC Prediction: 5-3
2018: 9-4 2019: 7-6 2020: 2-1

2022 Preseason Prediction: 5-7
2022 MAC Prediction: 3-5
2021: 3-9, Prediction: 6-6
2020: 2-1, 2019: 7-6, 2018: 9-4

Sept 3 Florida Atlantic W
Sept 10 at Penn State L
Sept 17 at Iowa State L
Sept 24 Fordham W
Oct 1 at Kent State L
Oct 8 at Akron W
Oct 15 at Western Michigan L
Oct 22 Northern Illinois L
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 1 Buffalo W
Nov 8 at Miami University L
Nov 15 at Ball State L
Nov 22 Bowling Green W
Ohio Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule 

MAC Preseason Predictions: West

MAC West Predicted Finish

T1. Northern Illinois
T1. Toledo
T1. Western Michigan*
4. Central Michigan
5. Eastern Michigan
6. Ball State
*WMU predicted to win West tie-breaker

Ball State Cardinals

2022 Preseason Prediction: 4-8
2022 MAC Prediction: 2-6
2021: 6-7, Prediction: 7-5
2020: 7-1, 2019: 5-7, 2018: 4-8

Sept 3 at Tennessee L
Sept 10 Western Michigan L
Sept 17 Murray State W
Sept 24 at Georgia Southern L
Oct 1 Northern Illinois L
Oct 8 at Central Michigan L
Oct 15 UConn W
Oct 22 Eastern Michigan W
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 1 at Kent State L
Nov 8 at Toledo L
Nov 15 Ohio W
Nov 22 at Miami University L
Ball State Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Central Michigan Chippewas

2022 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2022 MAC Prediction: 5-3
2021: 9-4, Prediction: 6-6
2020: 3-3, 2019: 8-6, 2018: 1-11

Sept 1 at Oklahoma State L
Sept 10 South Alabama W
Sept 17 Bucknell W
Sept 24 at Penn State L
Oct 1 at Toledo L
Oct 8 Ball State W
Oct 15 at Akron W
Oct 22 Bowling Green W
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 2 at Northern Illinois L
Nov 9 Buffalo W
Nov 16 Western Michigan L
Nov 25 at Eastern Michigan W
CMU Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Eastern Michigan Eagles

2022 Preseason Prediction: 6-6
2022 MAC Prediction: 4-4
2021: 7-6, Prediction: 5-7
2020: 2-4, 2019: 6-7, 2018: 7-6

Sept 2 Eastern Kentucky W
Sept 10 at Louisiana L
Sept 17 at Arizona State L
Sept 24 Buffalo W
Oct 1 UMass W
Oct 8 at Western Michigan L
Oct 15 Northern Illinois W
Oct 22 at Ball State L
Oct 29 Toledo W
Nov 5 OPEN DATE
Nov 8 at Akron W
Nov 16 at Kent State L
Nov 25 Central Michigan L
EMU Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Northern Illinois Huskies

2022 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2022 MAC Prediction: 6-2
2021: 9-5, Prediction: 4-8
2020: 0-6, 2019: 5-7, 2018: 8-6

Sept 3 Eastern Illinois W
Sept 10 at Tulsa L
Sept 17 Vanderbilt L
Sept 24 at Kentucky L
Oct 1 at Ball State W
Oct 8 Toledo L
Oct 15 at Eastern Michigan L
Oct 22 at Ohio W
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 2 Central Michigan W
Nov 9 at Western Michigan W
Nov 16 Miami University W
Nov 26 Akron W
NIU Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Toledo Rockets

2022 Preseason Prediction: 8-4
2022 MAC Prediction: 6-2
2021: 7-6, Prediction: 9-3
2020: 4-2, 2019: 6-6, 2018: 7-6

Sept 3 Long Island W
Sept 10 UMass W
Sept 17 at Ohio State L
Sept 24 at San Diego State L
Oct 1 Central Michigan W
Oct 8 at Northern Illinois W
Oct 15 Kent State W
Oct 22 at Buffalo W
Oct 29 at Eastern Michigan L
Nov 5 OPEN DATE
Nov 8 Ball State W
Nov 15 Bowling Green W
Nov 25 at Western Michigan L
Toledo Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

Western Michigan Broncos

2022 Preseason Prediction: 7-5
2022 MAC Prediction: 6-2
2021: 8-5, Prediction: 7-5
2020: 4-2, 2019: 7-6, 2018: 7-6

Sept 2 at Michigan State L
Sept 10 at Ball State W
Sept 17 Pitt L
Sept 24 at San Jose State L
Oct 1 New Hampshire W
Oct 8 Eastern Michigan W
Oct 15 Ohio W
Oct 22 at Miami University L
Oct 29 OPEN DATE
Nov 2 at Bowling Green W
Nov 9 Northern Illinois L
Nov 16 at Central Michigan W
Nov 25 Toledo W
WMU Preview | Top 10 PlayersSchedule

[protected-iframe id=”361699434b6d70baf15f631ed2408ac1-97672683-92922408″ info=”https://www.googletagservices.com/tag/js/gpt.js” ]

2022 College Football Schedules: All 131 Teams

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Season Prediction, Breakdown, Key Games, Players

Ball State College Football Preview 2022: Team breakdown, season prediction, keys to the campaign, and what you need to know

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Previewing, predicting, and looking ahead to the Ball State season with what you need to know and keys to the season.


Contact/Follow @ColFootballNews & @PeteFiutak

[mm-video type=playlist id=01f1343a1wt7q817p7 player_id=none image=https://collegefootballnews.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Ball State Cardinals Preview
Head Coach: Mike Neu, 7th year, 28-41
2021 Preview: Overall: 6-7, Conference: 4-4
Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Ball State Top 10 Players | Ball State Schedule

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022

Ball State is able to get a little greedy now.

After six straight losing seasons, the program pulled off a surprising MAC championship in 2020, and then wanted even more with several of the key parts returning to 2021.

It was a fine year, but after a bowl loss to Georgia State it turned into a seventh losing season in eight years. Now there’s a bit of an overhaul, but there’s still enough around to push for the first time ever with three straight bowl seasons.

The downfield passing game has to be better, the offense has to be more consistent, and the defense has to be more disruptive and stronger at getting into the backfield.

It’s going to be a fight to get to six wins with this schedule and the lack of depth, but after the last few years, it’s bowl game or bust.

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Offense

It should be John Paddock’s quarterback job to lose. The 5-11, 196-pound senior worked behind Drew Plitt for the last few years and has yet to throw a touchdown pass, but he’s been in the system long enough to know what he’s doing. Getting the ball down the field is a must after way too much dinking and dunking.

The smallish Jayshon Jackson and 6-3 Yo’Heinz Tyler form a good 1–2 reciting punch, and and the backs can catch, too.

The running backs are in place if the line can give them room to move. Paddock won’t run all that much, so the ground game is up to leading rusher Carson Steeler in a rotation with Will Jones, who combined for close to 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns. However, the Ball State ground game averaged just 3.8 yards per carry, but …

The offensive line did a decent job in pass protection and from keeping defenses out of the backfield. There’s a good size of experience and size returning with the tackles set, but the interior needing a little time.

Ball State Cardinals Preview 2022: Defense

The defense was okay. It had its meltdowns, but for the most part it was okay against the run. The pass defense had its problems – it allowed 243 yards per game – partly because there wasn’t enough of a steady pass rush.

It wasn’t what the D full of upperclassmen was supposed to do, and now there’s some reworking to be done. Seven of the top eight tacklers were seniors, but …

The top pass rusher is back. DE Tavion Woodward came up with a team-high five sacks with 8.5 tackles for loss, and now he’s the veteran leader of the front three.

Size is a huge concern up front – there isn’t much. 5-11, 298-pound senior Justen Ramsey will work on the nose, and 6-4, 292-pound senior Jack Sape will be on the other side of Woodward. Those two represent most of the bulk.

The back eight might have lost some of last year’s star, but enough are back to not be in total rebuild mode. CB Ameche Uzodinma is one of those seniors who finished in the top eight in tackles last year. He’s back, and so is Malcolm Lee at one of the safety spots after coming up with 50 stops.

The linebacking corps loses top tackler Jaylin Thomas, but it’s in good shape round Clayton Coll, a good inside linebacker who should be one of the team’s leading tackler.

Keys To The Season | Season Prediction, What Will Happen
Ball State Top 10 Players | Ball State Schedule

Ball State Cardinals: Keys To The Season, Top Game, Top Transfer, Fun Stats NEXT

Tennessee announces uniform combination for Ball State game

Tennessee announces uniform combination for the Ball State game.

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

Tennessee releases depth chart ahead of Ball State game

Tennessee football: Vols’ season-opening game results since 2000

Ahead of the Vols’ season-opening matchup with Ball State, Tennessee announced its uniform combination Tuesday.

The Vols will wear white helmets, orange jerseys and white pants against the Cardinals.

2022 Tennessee football schedule

  • Sept. 1 versus Ball State
  • Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh
  • Sept. 17 versus Akron
  • Sept. 24 versus Florida
  • Oct. 1 OPEN DATE
  • Oct. 8 at LSU
  • Oct. 15 versus Alabama
  • Oct. 22 versus UT Martin (homecoming)
  • Oct. 29 versus Kentucky
  • Nov. 5 at Georgia
  • Nov. 12 versus Missouri
  • Nov. 19 at South Carolina
  • Nov. 26 at Vanderbilt

[vertical-gallery id=68093]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=none image=https://volswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Chayce Bishop set for Tennessee return

Tennessee-Ball State: Chayce Bishop set for Tennessee return

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday versus Ball State at Neyland Stadium under second-year head coach Josh Heupel.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT between the Vols and Cardinals. SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

The contest is the first meeting between Tennessee and Ball State.

Former Vol Chayce Bishop is a redshirt freshman cornerback for Ball State. He transferred from Tennessee on May 12, 2021.

Bishop redshirted during the Vols’ 2020 season. He did not appear in any games for Ball State in 2021.

The former Vol is the son of Blaine Bishop, an all-conference safety at Ball State and a three-time All-Pro with the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans.

Ball State releases depth chart ahead of Tennessee game

Tennessee releases depth chart ahead of Ball State game

[vertical-gallery id=31910]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=none image=https://volswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Ball State releases depth chart ahead of Tennessee game

Ball State releases depth chart ahead of the Tennessee game.

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup.

Tennessee releases depth chart ahead of Ball State game

2022 Tennessee football schedule

  • Sept. 1 versus Ball State
  • Sept. 10 at Pittsburgh
  • Sept. 17 versus Akron
  • Sept. 24 versus Florida
  • Oct. 1 OPEN DATE
  • Oct. 8 at LSU
  • Oct. 15 versus Alabama
  • Oct. 22 versus UT Martin (Homecoming)
  • Oct. 29 versus Kentucky
  • Nov. 5 at Georgia
  • Nov. 12 versus Missouri
  • Nov. 19 at South Carolina
  • Nov. 26 at Vanderbilt

Tennessee football: Vols’ season-opening game results since 2000

Ahead of Thursday’s game, Ball State released its Week 1 depth chart. The Cardinals’ Week 1 depth chart against Tennessee is below.

[vertical-gallery id=68093]

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=none image=https://volswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]

Josh Heupel previews Vols’ Week 1 contest versus Ball State

Josh Heupel previews Tennessee’s Week 1 contest versus Ball State.

Tennessee will kick off its 2022 season Thursday against Ball State at Neyland Stadium.

Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. EDT and SEC Network will televise the season-opening matchup. Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic are on the call.

Breaking down Tennessee’s offensive depth chart versus Ball State

Breaking down Tennessee’s defensive depth chart versus Ball State

Breaking down Tennessee’s special teams depth chart versus Ball State

Ahead of Thursday’s season-opening contest, second-year head coach Josh Heupel met with media and discussed Tennessee preparing for Ball State. Below is a transcript of Heupel’s media availability provided by the University of Tennessee.