Tennessee football: Week 6 SEC, top 25 picks by Caleb Calhoun
Here are Caleb Calhoun’s Week 6 picks for the Tennessee football Volunteers, SEC, and top 25.
We’re back with another round of picks this week. Once again, there are seven SEC games to call, but we also have two non-conference games featuring two top 25 teams to call. When Tennessee football visits the Georgia Bulldogs, it will be one of two SEC games featuring two top 25 teams we were calling. Before diving in, here’s a look at how I did last week.
Week 5 performance
Straight up: 5-2
Gambling picks: 5-9
- 2-5 against the spread
- 3-4 over/under
Overall performance for 2020
Straight-up: 13-3
Gambling picks: 16-16
- 8-8 against the spread
- 8-8 over/under
That was a horrendous week for me, and it brought my picks down to .500. I’m now doing worse than both contributors on the site. This week, that changes. Here are my Week 6 Tennessee football, SEC and top 25 straight-up and gambling predictions.
Prediction. 49. 840. 30. 873
Florida -6.; Over 58
Jimbo Fisher continues to look more overrated. His one national title came when he had Jameis Winston and Jeremy Pruitt as his defensive coordinator. Since both left, he’s been mediocre. The Florida Gators will dominate here, easily covering and torching the Texas A&M Aggies’ defense. Kyle Trask continues his Heisman campaign, and UF covers while this game hits the over.
21. 822. 38. 817. Prediction
LSU -14.5; Over 54
Although the Missouri Tigers only had 12 points against Tennessee football, they were a couple of drops away from making this a game. Against an LSU Tigers defense that still looks just ok, they’ll do enough to help this game hit the over. However, LSU will torch Mizzou’s defense, and that’ll be what allows them to cover.
850. 10. 887. Prediction. 35
South Carolina -13.5; Over 41
Will Muschamp’s South Carolina Gamecocks have fought hard in their first two games despite an 0-2 start. Now that they finally have an easy game, they’ll be able to have a little fun. USC wins, and Collin Hill has a field day throwing to Shi Smith. However, this game will hit the over because of a late Vanderbilt score.
27. 838. Prediction. 20. 847
North Carolina -5.5; Under 60
Justin Fuente’s offense or Mack Brown’s defense? Always side with defense in such battles. The North Carolina Tar Heels get the Virginia Tech Hokies at home, not that such a thing matters this year, but they will finally knock VT off a bit of rhythm. In the process, they’ll manage to cover with a touchdown win.
844. 23. 842. Prediction. 7
Auburn -14; Under 45.5
Which Auburn Tigers team will show up? Well, our bet is on the one that has no offense but can make some big defensive plays. Meanwhile, the Arkansas Razorbacks will remain inconsistent under Sam Pittman. They’ll make this game ugly for a half, but Gus Malzahn’s team will pull away to cover in the second half while this game still hits the under.
841. Prediction. 38. 829. 17
Ole Miss +23.5; Under 69.5
Mother Nature is making this gambling pick for me. Former Tennessee football head coach Lane Kiffin has covered in both his games to open the season with the Ole Miss. He’s now going up against his old boss. As loaded as Nick Saban’s Alabama Crimson Tide are, an incoming rainstorm will make for a sloppy day, resulting in this game hitting the under and Ole Miss covering.
834. 49. 879. Prediction. 21
Clemson -15; Over 61
The Miami Hurricanes are overrated. There’s nothing impressive about beating the Florida State Seminoles, and they allowed 34 points to the Louisville Cardinals. As a result, they’ll get beaten pretty handily by the Clemson Tigers on Saturday, as Dabo Swinney’s team finally comes alive knowing it has to focus on a game. A couple of late Miami scores lets this hit the over.
893. 42. 833. Prediction. 48
Mississippi State +3; Over 57.5
Well, the SEC has its first taste of Mike Leach’s inconsistency. This week, it seems like it’s time for his offense to be elite again. Mix that in with Mark Stoops’ defense struggling last week against the Ole Miss Rebels, and this game will hit the over. Also, the Mississippi State Bulldogs will score enough to win again and move to 2-1.
814. Prediction. 17. 839. 19
Tennessee +12.5; Under 43
Heavy rain is heading to Athens, Ga. during this game as well, and Tennessee football has the offensive line to make this close. As a result, the Vols, who haven’t turned the ball over, will cash in on a couple of Georgia Bulldogs mistakes.
Five reasons Vols could upset Georgia. dark. Next
UGA, however, still has the better team, so Kirby Smart’s kids will pull out an ugly victory late. Given the sloppy play that will come, though, this game won’t hit the over, and the Dawgs will fail to cover.