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Tennessee football: Dean Zulkofske’s Week 4 SEC, top 25 picks

By Dean Zulkofske

COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: General view of the exterior of the stadium as the South Carolina Gamecocks get set to host the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina won 38-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
COLUMBIA, SC - SEPTEMBER 13: General view of the exterior of the stadium as the South Carolina Gamecocks get set to host the Georgia Bulldogs at Williams-Brice Stadium on September 13, 2014 in Columbia, South Carolina. South Carolina won 38-35. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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These are Dean Zulkofske’s Tennessee football Volunteers, SEC and top 25 picks for the first week of SEC season in 2020.

It’s Week 4, the first week of the 2020 SEC season. Tennessee football opens up at the South Carolina Gamecocks. Here is a look at All for Tennessee contributor Dean Zulkofske’s picks for all seven SEC games and two more top 25 games that are happening this weekend.

Florida Gators: 38 Ole Miss Rebels: 21

Florida -13.5; Over 56.5

After throwing for 25 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 yards last season, Gators quarterback Kyle Trask looks to pick up exactly where he left off.  An Ole Miss defense that finished dead last in the conference for passing yards allowed per game last year will certainly help. The Gators will cover in Oxford, and the shiny new Ole Miss offense led by former Tennessee football head coach Lane Kiffin will ensure this one goes over.

Auburn Tigers: 35 Kentucky Wildcats: 9

Auburn -6.5; Under 49.5

Last year, with freshman quarterback Bo Nix, Auburn lost three close games to SEC opponents ranked in the top 10. Now a sophomore, Bo Nix’s revenge tour begins with a demolition of the Kentucky Wildcats. No need to overthink this one. Auburn is the better team. Their talented defense keeps the total under 50 and the Tigers cover at home.

Pittsburgh Panthers: 34 Louisville Cardinals: 17

Pittsburgh -2.5; Under 55.5

The Panthers are sneaky good this year, and the Cardinals, well they’re not. Louisville’s defense looked horrid last week, giving up 47 points in a loss to Miami (FL).  Pitt, on the other hand, has only given up 10 points in two games.  The Panthers’ senior quarterback, Kenny Pickett, needs to make some noise if he wants his name called early in this spring’s NFL Draft.  Home games against ranked in-conference opponents are the place to do just that. Pitt wins by double digits at Heinz Field, keeping the Louisville offense in check and leaving under bettors left smiling.

Cincinnati Bearcats: 35 Army Black Knights: 28

Army +12.5; Over 44.5

Through two weeks of football, Army has only allowed one touchdown.  Maybe even more impressive, over those two games, the Black Knights scored an average 39.5 points per game.  The Cincinnati Bearcats scored 55 in their week one win.  Science says this game hits the over 45.5 total while patriotism says Army covers 13.5.

LSU Tigers: 35 Mississippi State Bulldogs: 31

Mississippi State +17; Over 56.5

Between Mike Leech’s offensive play-calling ability, a willing arm in K.J. Costello, and a superb running back in Kylin Hill, this game smells like touchdowns, even with a perennial defensive juggernaut on the opposing side of the field.  The 2019 College Football Champions will start their title defense with a win, but not by 17 points.

Georgia Bulldogs: 31 Arkansas Razorbacks: 13

Arkansas +28.5; Under 54.5 

Arkansas running back Rakeem Boyd had thoughts of entering the NFL Draft last spring before deciding to return to Fayetteville for a final season. This week he’ll put the entire country on notice by preventing the Razorbacks from getting blown out.  Georgia won’t cover due to a couple missing offensive pieces, but their stellar defense won’t make this game get too close.

Alabama Crimson Tide: 38 Missouri Tigers: 7

Alabama -28; Under 56.5

When you look at the plethora of offensive talent returning to play ball in Tuscaloosa this fall, it’s no wonder the Tide are favorites to win the SEC. The Crimson Tide also have projected first-round pick Dylan Moses captaining their defense at inside linebacker. Bama covers. Easily. Spoiling new Missouri Head Coach Eliah Drinkwitz’s debut.

Texas A&M Aggies: 42 Vanderbilt Commodores: 10

Texas A&M -30.5; Over 45.5

Is it possible we see a winless Vanderbilt team in 2020? Absolutely. And unfortunately for the Commodores, College Station won’t be very kind to them this week. Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond has a terrific opportunity to begin his senior campaign with some fireworks. Texas A&M covers, but Vanderbilt won’t go scoreless. Look for a garbage-time Vanderbilt score to push the total over.

Tennessee Volunteers: 20 South Carolina Gamecocks: 13

Tennessee -3.5; Under 44

Last year, Tennessee football made the mistake of losing its opener to a far inferior team. Jeremy Pruitt won’t let the Vols make the same mistake twice. The Vols will win by a touchdown thanks to the tenacious running back duo of Ty Chandler and Eric Gray and a matured offensive line. Transfer quarterback Collin Hill is making his first start for the Gamecocks, which the Vols will exploit to keep things low scoring.

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