Tennessee football: Week 6 SEC, top 25 picks by Dean Zulkofske
Here are Dean Zulkofske’s Week 6 picks for the Tennessee football Volunteers, SEC, and top 25.
With the seven SEC games and two other top 25 games to cover this weekend as Tennessee football gets ready to play the Georgia Bulldogs, here are my predictions for the Week 6 matchups. Before we dive in, here’s a quick recap on how I performed last week and what my picks are looking like for the season.
Week 5 performance
Straight up: 5-2
Gambling picks: 6-8
- 3-4 against the spread
- 3-4 over/under
Overall performance for 2020
Straight-up: 13-3
Gambling picks: 17-15
- 9-7 against the spread
- 8-8 over/under
I’m now looking to put last week behind me. Here’s are my straight up and gambling picks for this week’s slate of SEC and top 25 games.
42. 840. 24. 873. Prediction
Florida -6.; Over 58
Kyle Trask and Kyle Pitts have been an unstoppable force for the Gators through two weeks. That won’t change when they visit Kyle Field on Saturday. They’ll face an Aggies defense that gave up 52 points last week to the Crimson Tide. Expect a pretty lopsided victory for the Gators here with both teams’ defenses playing poorly enough to hit the over.
36. 817. Prediction. 10. 822
LSU -14.5; Under 54
A lot of drops and odd play-calling killed the Tigers’ pass game and took away any chance of claiming victory against Tennessee last week. Even if they smooth those issues out, LSU’s secondary is back to full strength with the Derek Stingley Jr. in the lineup. LSU wins this one easily at home with their defense keeping the total under.
Prediction. 28. 850. 10. 887
South Carolina -13.5; Under 41
Shi Smith of South Carolina is quietly one of the best receivers in the conference, maybe even the country. He’s caught touchdowns in both weeks so far and torched Tennessee football’s secondary. This week against the Commodores will bring similar results. Neither offense should push this one over, but the Gamecocks will cover in their first win of the season.
838. Prediction. 24. 847. 28
Virginia Tech +5.5; Under 60
With 312 yards over two weeks, Virginia Tech has the ACC’s second-leading rusher in Khalil Herbert. This matchup Saturday will be interesting, as the Tar Heels have only given up 54 yards on the ground through their first two games. So, the under feels pretty safe here given how high the total is. The Hokies won’t win, but they should do enough to cover on the road.
14. 844. 30. 842. Prediction
Auburn -14; Under 45.5
After getting blown out against UGA last week, this game is not only a must win, but feels like a must-cover as well for Auburn. Let’s give the Tigers the benefit of the doubt here. Even with the Razorbacks’ impressive victory last week Auburn is the better team and should cover. Both defenses are talented and will play well enough to keep the one under.
829. 31. 841. Prediction. 51
Ole Miss +23.5; Over 69.5
First things first, this total could be set at 75 points and it would still go over. Through two weeks the Tide have averaged 45 points a game, and the Rebels have been good for 38.5 a week under former Tennessee football head coach Lane Kiffin. Because the over is a lock, it makes more sense to think Ole Miss will cover the 23-point spread but this one won’t be close.
879. Prediction. 24. 834. 41
Clemson -15; Over 61
A bit of a prove-it week here for both teams. For the Canes, the Tigers provide them an opportunity to show D’eriq King and the rest of their offense is legit. For Clemson, it’s one of the few ranked opponents they’ll face all season. Experience and maturity give Clemson the cover at home in a game that hits the over late in regulation.
42. 833. Prediction. 35. 893
Kentucky -3; Over 57.5
Mike Leach’s first two games as MSU’s head coach included defeating the defending National Champions, then losing to a team that went winless in-conference last year. It’s really tough to call this one when both teams seem like they’re looking for answers two games into the season. Let’s say the Wildcats get their first win of the year and cover at home in a shootout.
814. Prediction. 17. 839. 14
Tennessee +12.5; Under 43
The Vols have lost their last three meetings with the Bulldogs, but this is a different Tennessee football team. The Vols have the SEC leading rusher in TY Chandler, top defensive back Shawn Shamburger making his first start of the season.
Next. Five reasons Vols could upset Georgia. dark
Then there is a revamped offensive line with the addition of Cade Mays, who made his first start in orange last weekend. Could this be the year UT finally has the Dawgs number? They’ll squeak out the upset in a low-scoring affair.