Coming off their bye, Tennessee football is back in action for its first SEC road game. The Vols have their second straight and third overall matchup against a Power Five team in the top 25, this time visiting the LSU Tigers Saturday afternoon.
UT, ranked No. 8 in both polls, most recently beat the Florida Gators 38-33, ending a five-game losing streak in the series. Two weeks before that, they beat the Pittsburgh Panthers on the road in overtime, avenging a loss to them last year.
LSU, meanwhile, has won every game since losing its opener by one to the Florida State Seminoles. Ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll, they most recently held off the Auburn Tigers 21-17 on the road. Here is all the information you need for Tennessee football’s matchup.
Gambling odds according to WynnBET
- Line: Tennessee -3
- Over/Under: 65
- Moneyline: Tennessee -150; LSU +125
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
Broadcast information
- TV: ESPN
- Live stream: WatchESPN
- Radio: Vol Network; LSU Sports Radio
- Satellite: Sirius XM (Ch. 81)
- Listen online: UTSports; LSUSports
Led by first-year head coach Brian Kelly, this is LSU’s first game against a team ranked in the top 25 while they are playing them. However, they did beat the Mississippi State Bulldogs three weeks ago, who are now in the top 25.
Although the Vols have two wins over top 25 teams when they played them, neither team is currently ranked in the top 25. If they win this one, it’s likely they’ll have three such wins, as that would make LSU drop out of the rankings.
The last matchup between UT and LSU was in 2017. It was the Vols first game after firing Butch Jones, and they lost to Ed Orgeron’s Tigers 30-10 under interim head coach Brady Hoke. Rocky Top’s last trip to Death Valley was 2010, when they lost because of their infamous 13-men on the field penalty as time expired.
Although the Vols lead the all-time series 20-10-3, LSU has won seven of nine since the turn of the century, including five straight. They scored two upsets over the Vols in 2000 and 2001, the latter in the SEC Championship, which cost UT a trip to the national championship. In 2007, they also beat them in the SEC title.
Injuries are going to be a factor in this game. Tennessee football has lost top cornerback Warren Burrell for the season, and Cedric Tillman remains banged up at wide receiver. However, junior college transfer cornerback Dee Williams is set to make his debut for the Vols.
On LSU’s side, quarterback Jayden Daniels is banged up, which could be crucial given how he depends on his mobility. They are also without cornerback Sevyn Banks, and they will also reportedly be without starting offensive lineman Will Campbell.
After this game, Tennessee football returns home to host the Alabama Crimson Tide, who enter Saturday ranked No. 1 in both polls. If both teams win, it’ll be the highest combined ranking in the series. LSU, meanwhile, will visit Florida next week.