Tennessee football: Week 14 SEC and Top 25 picks by Dean Zulkofske
Here are Dean Zulkofske’s Tennessee Volunteers, SEC, and top 25 Week 14 picks.
After another unexpected “bye” week in Week 13, Tennessee football will face the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville this Saturday. The game will mark the 50th matchup between the two SEC East universities.
Rocky Top won’t be the only SEC team desperate for a win this week either. Before we a take a look at my picks for this week, check out how we did last week and what our totals for the 2020 season look like so far.
Week 13 performance
Straight up: 7-1
Gambling picks: 9-7
- 4-4 against the spread
- 5-3 over/under
Overall performance for 2020
Straight up: 54-18
Gambling picks: 77-67
- 36-36 against the spread
- 41-31 over/under
Week 13’s picks proved to be just another average set of predictions in a string of pretty average weeks. Obviously, we’d like to put a lopsided winning week in our proverbial caps with Tennessee football back on the field this Saturday. Here are my picks for this week’s SEC and Top 25 games, as well as the Tennessee football Volunteers.
873. 21. 842. Prediction. 31
Texas A&M -6.5; Over 48.5
With Tank Bigsby receiving limited carries due to injury in last week’s Iron Bowl, the Tigers were unable to muster much offensive production against the Tide. That won’t be the case this weekend, but the Aggies are still the better team. Are they a full touchdown on the road better? Let’s say the No. 5 team in the country covers here and both teams help the total over.
23. 844. 24. 822. Prediction
Arkansas +2.5; Under 51.5
In what may quietly be the most intriguing matchup on Week 14’s schedule, the story here will be Mizzou’s offense behind Larry Rountree III against the mostly sound Razorback’s defense. Does Eli Drinkwitz have another big win under his sleeve against fellow first-year head coach Sam Pittman? Look for a dramatic finish where the Tigers win but don’t cover.
Tennessee-Florida: 10 keys to the game. light. Related Story
809. Prediction. 17. 813. 20
Indiana +14.5; Under 44.5
The Hoosiers surprised a lot of people in their Week 12 loss to Ohio State. They kept the Buckeyes within a touchdown and exploded on offense with help from senior wide receiver Ty Fryfogle. This is a confusing line because Indiana will not only cover 14 points easily, but they could definitely win this game. Stay away from this over as Wisconsin tends to play in low-scoring affairs but look for the Badgers to win at home.
BYU -9.5; Over 60.5
A really interesting matchup between undefeated non-power five programs here as the Cougars stepped in on short notice to fill in for the COVID-ridden Liberty Flames earlier this week. The only name you’ll need for picking this one is Zach Wilson. The BYU quarterback is projected to go early in the 2021 NFL Draft and should do everything necessary to cover.
10. 850. 24. 833. Prediction
Kentucky -11.5; Under 46.5
Weird game to pick here between a Gamecocks squad that doesn’t have a head coach, and a Wildcats team that has some decent talent but still isn’t very good. Well, let’s key in here on the under – both teams haven’t scored much in their last two outings and probably won’t explode to hit a total close to 50 points. Take Mark Stoops and the Wildcats to cover at home but don’t look at this game for an easy lock.
Prediction. 48. 829. 14. 817
Alabama -29.5; Under 66.5
With each week that passes by it becomes more and more apparent that not only is this Crimson Tide team the best squad in the country, but there may not be anyone else close. Yes, LSU covered against a very strong Texas A&M group last week but this one doesn’t take much thought. Alabama will likely destroy LSU with Nick Saban back on the sidelines, seeking revenge for the loss Ed Orgeron dealt him last season in Tuscaloosa.
Next. Five Vols to watch for against Florida. dark
839. Prediction. 49. 840. 21
Florida -17.5; Over 62.5
Through their last 15 meetings, Tennessee football is 1-14 against UF, and as badly as we’d like that record to improve on Saturday it just won’t. Kyle Trask should make like work against a UT secondary that has struggled all season. With that being said, the Gators defense isn’t stellar by any means, Harrison Bailey should find a way to the checkerboards a few times, but Florida should have no problem in Neyland Stadium on Saturday.