Tennessee football: Week 10 SEC and top 25 picks by Dean Zulkofske

Here are Dean Zulkofske’s Week 10 picks for the Tennessee football Volunteers and other SEC and top 25 games.

For the first time in two weeks, Tennessee football will take the field this Saturday to face the Arkansas Razorbacks. Week 10’s slate also included a Big 10 matchup, three other SEC games, a massive ACC contest, and a Friday night game as well. Before we go over the seven predictions for this week, take a look at how I did last week and how I’ve fared overall this season.

Week 9 performance

Straight up: 6-1

Gambling picks: 8-6

• 5-2 against the spread
• 3-4 over/under

Overall performance for 2020

Straight up: 33-12

Gambling picks: 43-47

• 21-24 against the spread
• 22-23 over/under

A very small winning week came from last Saturday, and the big-time contests in Week 10 could point in that same direction again. With Tennessee football beginning the second half of their season, here are my predictions for Week 10’s SEC and Top 25 matchups.

BYU -3.5; Over 63.5

Brigham Young signal-caller Zach Wilson is absolutely phenomenal. The way he’s played thus far, it’ll come as no surprise when his name is called early next spring. With that being said, BYU’s offense can score at will. Boise State has put up more than 40 points in their last two games, so the over seems like a no-brainer in a matchup where BYU is clearly superior.

Indiana +3.5; Over 54.5

After coming out of nowhere and beating Minnesota by 25 points in their season opener, Michigan dropped their next contest to rival Michigan State. They won’t get back into the win column this week either. Indiana enters this week with an impressive 2-0 record – look for them to improve to 3-0 and for both teams to score points here.

Florida +3.5; Over 53.5

This matchup, which could potentially determine the final team in the college football playoff, will likely come down to quarterback play. Florida’s Kyle Trask who is very much still in the Heisman race is a monster. Georgia’s Stetson Bennet had success earlier in the season but is not on Trask’s level. Take the Gators in an upset on neutral turf and the over with two high-powered offenses.

Vanderbilt +18.5; Under 44.5

Vandy is easily the worst team in the SEC, but the Bulldogs being favored by this many points looks like a typo. Sure, the commodores lack explosiveness on their offense and have given up more than 40 points in their last three contests, but Mississippi State enters on a four-game losing streak after being shutout last Saturday. Take Vanderbilt to cover and the under. The Bulldogs are the better team but they won’t win by much.

Texas A&M -10.5; Under 58.5

No. 7 Texas A&M will have a fairly decent argument for sneaking into the top four college football playoff if they finish the season 9-1, meaning they can’t afford to lose this. However, the Gamecocks are coming off of a bye and could be ready to turn their season around. No need to overthink it here, Kellen Mond has finally found his grove and should do enough to cover on the road just before his matchup with Tennessee football next week.

Clemson -5.5; Over 50.5

Both schools in this matchup of top-five ACC teams are dealt an opportunity to prove they belong in the national championship discussion. Though the No. 1 Tigers had to come back and just barely defeat a Boston College team that quite frankly stinks, they should be enough to cover here, even potentially without Trevor Lawrence. Clemson is the more talented team and you have to rely on skill in matchups like this.

Tennessee +0.5; Over 52.5

Jarrett Guarantano will be under center for the Vols on Saturday, meaning this game could go two different ways: Tennessee football manages to win a close game where the over hits, or UT drops to 2-4 in a blowout loss that stays under. It’ll be one or the other and I haven’t been logical weighing the Vols’ odds all year. No need to start now. Vols cover on the road.