Week 5 of the college football season brings a spotlight clash in the SEC as Tennessee travels to Starkville to take on Mississippi State. The Volunteers are coming off a commanding win over UAB, while the Bulldogs remain unbeaten through four games.
The matchup is a test of Tennessee’s explosive offense against Mississippi State’s improving defense, with both teams eager to make a statement in conference play. In the buildup to the showdown, Tennessee spirit has taken on a life of its own.
A cheerleader, Sophia Rouleau, has gone viral after posting photos from gameday at Neyland Stadium. Images of Rouleau leading cheers, soaring in stunts, and celebrating in front of a packed orange-and-white crowd spread quickly across social platforms.
Rouleau used the pictures to wish luck to the Vols ahead of the matchup against Tennessee.
“happy gameday!🧡 #govols #gameday,” she wrote.
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Now, the focus turns back to football. Tennessee holds a 3–1 record and looks to avoid slipping to 0–2 in the SEC. The Volunteers bring one of the most potent passing games in the conference, but injuries in the secondary remain a concern.
Mississippi State, 4–0, enters with confidence and balance on both sides of the ball. Their home crowd, set for a whiteout, should provide an electric setting. Analysts favor Tennessee by a touchdown, but the Bulldogs’ form and momentum make this a dangerous road trip.
With playoff implications slowly taking shape, every possession will matter. Tennessee is a much better team on the road, and it’s possibly going to be a factor in the outcome of the game that’s only hours away.
Joel Klatt Blamed Josh Heupel’s Tennessee for Nico Iamaleava’s Transfer
One of the biggest topics of discussion this year in college football has been Nico Iamaleava’s transfer from the Tennessee Volunteers to the UCLA Bruins. A lot happened behind the scenes, some of it even saw the light of day, and it gave the impression that drama was at an all-time high.
On an episode of The Joel Klatt Show, the analyst blamed Tennessee for handling the situation poorly. He stated that they overpowered the moment and didn’t allow Iamaleava to tell his side of the story.
“He never really got a chance to tell his side of the story, and you know, Tennessee ran out basically a propaganda effort and got to tell the story without Nico being involved at all. It was not all about money; it really wasn’t.”
“If it was, he wouldn’t have gone to UCLA, you know, which is the telltale sign. He wanted the offense to grow with him because… That offense that Josh Heupel runs is a very, is almost like a glorified high school offense.” (32:48)
Despite losing Iamaleava, the Vols have been good so far in the season. They’ve suffered one loss against the Georgia Bulldogs and have won the other three matchups. They’d look to register their fourth win and break Mississippi’s unbeaten streak.
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Analyst Says Josh Heupel ‘Can Become a Legend’ After Nico Iamaleava Fiasco
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