Tennessee football: Week 15 SEC and Top 25 picks by Dean Zulkofske
Here are Dean Zulkofske’s Week 15 picks for the Tennessee football Volunteers, SEC and top 25 games.
With what may just be their last great chance at a victory in 2020, Tennessee football is in must-win mode as they hit the road to face the Vanderbilt Commodores. Aside from the in-state clash, we also have an ACC Top 25 matchup and four other SEC games on Week 15’s slate. Take a look at how I did last week and my totals for 2020.
Week 14 performance
Straight up: 4-3
Gambling picks: 7-7
- 5-2 against the spread
- 2-5 over/under
Overall performance for 2020
Straight up: 58-21
Gambling picks: 84-74
- 41-38 against the spread
- 43-36 over/under
We surprisingly stumbled with the O/U, something we’ve been far more consistent than the spread with. Either way, no blood was drawn on the 2020 gambling record, but with a light week here it would be nice to put up some big winning numbers. Here are my picks for this week’s Top 25, SEC, and Tennessee football matchups.
Related Story. Five Vols to watch for at Vanderbilt. light
844. Prediction. 58. 829. 21
Alabama -31.5; Over 68.5
We start this week off with a tough one. At times, the Razorbacks have shown signs of being stronger than their record suggests but giving up 63 points and nearly losing by 30 to Florida in Week 11 points to the Tide and the over here. Let’s say Mac Jones and Alabama’s offense cover this massive spread, again. Either way key in on the over.
822. Prediction. 36. 814. 21
Georgia -13.5; Over 54.5
Taking the field for the first time in two weeks, JT Daniels and UGA’s offense will look to make up for lost time against a Missouri defense that hasn’t had its best stuff recently. But the No. 25 Tigers have been very impressive the last two weeks and enter Week 15 on a three-game winning streak. In the end, it should be the Dawgs to cover but both teams will score in this one
45. 834. Prediction. 40. 838
Miami -2.5; Over 67.5
The No. 10 Miami Hurricanes have been red-hot. They’ve won their last five outings and have a home-field advantage over one of their tougher opponents to date in Mack Brown’s Tar Heels. Expect D’Eriq King to give UNC similar problems to what they dealt with against Wake Forrest, and for the Canes to cover in a shootout.
Related Story. Five Commodores to watch for against Vols. light
Prediction. 21. 817. 41. 840
LSU +23.5; Under 67.5
An improbable backdoor cover from Tennessee football prevented the Gators from covering last week on the road, but what about this week at home? Against a shaky secondary Kyle Trask should have similar if not greater success against the Tigers. The verdict: UF by a bunch but not enough with the total slipping under.
893. Prediction. 31. 842. 24
Auburn -6.5; Over 49.5
Both of these SEC West teams are out of contention, and both might be taking steps backward this season, but there is a bit of voodoo going on with MSU. The Bulldogs have lost both of their last two contest by a score of 31-24, and that’ll continue on Saturday. But really, Auburn has the talent advantage and should be enough to cover.
Tennessee-Vanderbilt: 10 keys to the game. dark. Next
839. 14. 887. Prediction. 27
Vanderbilt +16.5; Under 49.5
There’s no telling what might happen Saturday afternoon In Nashville. Vanderbilt doesn’t have a real head coach on their sideline, and a lot of Tennessee football fans don’t believe they have one on theirs either. The Vols are definitely the more talented team, but to cover more than two touchdowns here? That seems like a big ask. Harrison Bailey plays well in his first full-game as QB1 but UT falls short of covering in this one.