All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: SEC and top 25 picks and bets for Week 6 of 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans outside Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 20, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Fans outside Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
9 of 9
Next
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2020; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; General view before the game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports /

3-2 (1-1). 839. Knoxville, Tenn.. Saturday, Oct. 9. ESPN2. Noon ET. 3-2 (0-2). 850

Gambling odds:

  • Line: Tennessee -10.5
  • Over/Under: 56.5
  • Moneyline: Tennessee -400; South Carolina +320

One of the closest series in the SEC the past decade resumes with two first-year head coaches. Both are 3-2 right now, and both likely need to win this game to have any shot at a bowl. For a noon kickoff, this is an SEC East matchup at Neyland Stadium many might not want to miss.

Both Tennessee football and South Carolina moved on from former Nick Saban defensive coordinators. Josh Heupel has lived up to the hype as head coach of the Vols, as his offense moves the ball well, and it all came together last week in a dominating 62-24 win at Missouri, one that nobody saw coming.

On the other side, South Carolina is 3-2 under Shane Beamer, but they’ve looked ugly in their two FBS wins against Group of Five teams, needing to survive the Troy Trojans last week and the East Carolina Pirates in the second week of the season. That’s what could justify this line to many.

Prediction

You could make a case against the spread. Eight of the past nine games were within one score, and seven were within three points. Also, the last time South Carolina had a first-year head coach was the last time Tennessee football was a double-digit favorite, and the Gamecocks won.

This time is different, though. South Carolina’s one weakness is stopping the run, which is the Vols’ biggest strength. They’ve never faced a mobile quarterback this year either, and UT has Hendon Hooker. Finally, they are a horrible first quarter team. UT is the best in the nation.

Next. Tennessee-South Carolina: 10 keys to the game. dark

As a result, Tennessee football gets a big first quarter lead and then turns to the ground, which USC won’t stop. It won’t be like last week, but the Vols will pour it on still, so take them to cover and the over.

Tennessee: 38 South Carolina: 20 (Tennessee -10.5; Over 56.5)

WynnBET Promo: Bet $1, Win $100 if any NFL or college football team scores. Claim offer now.

Home/Vols Football