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Tennessee football, SEC, top 25 picks and bets for Week 9 of 2022

By Caleb Calhoun

The VOLS letters are lit up during halftime during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Utvbs0901
The VOLS letters are lit up during halftime during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Utvbs0901 /
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The VOLS letters are lit up during halftime during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Utvbs0901
The VOLS letters are lit up during halftime during football game between Tennessee and Ball State at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2022.Kns Utvbs0901 /

Saturday, Oct. 29. Neyland Stadium; Knoxville, Tenn.. 7 p.m. ET. ESPN. 7-0 (3-0). 839. 5-2 (2-2). 833

Gambling odds according to WynnBET

  • Line: Tennessee -12
  • Over/Under: 61
  • Moneyline: Tennessee -460; Kentucky +340

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change

light. Related Story. Five Kentucky Wildcats to watch for against Vols

Get ready for an epic Halloween setting at Neyland Stadium. A top five Tennessee football team is going to bring out black jerseys at night while orange fills up Rocky Top as they welcome a ranked team to town. You can’t ask for a better environment in college football than what will be there.

The Vols, ranked No. 3 in both polls, are coming into this game off an effective bye after blowing out the UT-Martin Skyhawks. They have dealt with numerous injuries to starters, but everybody who could come back seems like they will come back this weekend, which could make the team even more dangerous than the one that beat Alabama two weeks ago.

Kentucky, meanwhile, got a much-needed bye to get healthy. They are a Will Levis injury and a slew of special teams mistakes away from being undefeated, but they are No. 19 in the AP Poll and No. 17 in the Coaches Poll. This win could put Mark Stoops’ team back in the top 10, and they may catch UT napping and looking ahead to Georgia.

Prediction

I’ve been moved. In my pick earlier this week, I had the Vols winning but not covering. However, that was predicated on UK getting healthy and them potentially looking ahead. The dark-mode uniforms and the setting will keep the players fired up for this game.

Meanwhile, Tennessee football could be getting a lot of people back too. Levis is an NFL quarterback, and the Vols have a suspect secondary, but that secondary doesn’t give up big plays, and it’ll be closer to full strength. Since most of Levis’ success comes off big plays, that’s a huge matchup disadvantage.

Next. Vols' previous 7-0 starts hint SEC title inevitable. dark

Combine that with the pass rush the Vols have, and there’s no way Kentucky’s offense will move the ball. Christopher Rodriguez Jr. won’t help against UT’s elite rush defense. As a result, the Vols cover and win this game in a blowout. Shockingly, the game hits the under, as they will have to move the ball more, but UK won’t score much.

Tennessee: 42 Kentucky 17 (Tennessee -12; Under 61)

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