Tennessee football vs. South Carolina: Betting odds and prediction for NCAA Week 6 Saturday game

With newfound momentum, Tennessee football returns home in a much better position than it was in just a week ago, and their Saturday opponent could even further improve it. The Vols will host the South Carolina Gamecocks in a battle of first-year head coaches.

Josh Heupel’s team comes into this game at 3-2 on the heels of a dominant 62-24 win at the Missouri Tigers, one that shocked everybody. Under first-year head coach Shane Beamer, meanwhile, the Gamecocks also come in at 3-2 on the heels of an ugly win over the Troy Trojans.

A win Saturday against South Carolina would mark three straight wins for Tennessee football in the series, just as this past weekend’s win at Mizzou did in that series. Although that win puts them back in position to make a bowl, it could be derailed with a loss here. South Carolina also needs this win to keep its bowl hopes alive.

Tennessee Volunteers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Week 6 odds

On the WynnBET Week 5 betting odds, Rocky Top is a 10.5-point favorite with the over/under set at 55.5. The moneyline is set at Tennessee -400 and South Carolina at +320. With eight of the past nine games in the series being decided by one possession and seven being decided by three points or less, that line seems high, but the play of both teams last week is why it’s set there.

Tennessee Volunteers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks prediction

It’s impossible to look at last week’s game and not think the Vols have a chance to dominate. However, they were a bad matchup for Mizzou, which had one of the worst rush defenses in the nation. Josh Heupel feeds off the rushing attack, and there was no way the Tigers would stop it.

South Carolina, on the other hand, has been pretty solid on defense and still looks like Will Muschamp’s team from last year. They force nearly three turnovers a game and do all the little things to win.

Still, they’ve allowed a 100-yard rusher each of the past two games and over five yards a carry against both SEC teams, so their rush defense is skewed by their level of competition. It may not be as bad as Mizzou’s but it’s still not good.

As a result, Tennessee football will control the game once again, and they’ll do it on the ground. The trio of Tiyon Evans, Jabari Small and Len’Neth Whitehead, which includes a complete back, a power back and an all-purpose back, is too much for them to handle.

Add in Hendon Hooker being extremely efficient, and it’s hard to see South Carolina covering here. UT will keep it on the ground and walk away with an easy win. Take Tennessee -10.5 and the Over 55.5. The score will look something like this: Tennessee 35 South Carolina 20.

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