Tennessee football could face a sneaky, challenging matchup this Saturday as the Vols plan to travel to Starkville to take on Mississippi State.
The Bulldogs are 4-0 to start the year, but have yet to face a true challenge. The Vols offer the first challenge of the season, and Mississippi State could be ready for the challenge based on a recent shift in betting odds.
FanDuel had the Vols as two-score favorites when the betting line opened on Sunday. That has changed over the past few days, with the Vols now only a 7.5-point favorite as of Wednesday morning.
This could be an early indication of how the Vols' weekend might go in Starkville. The Bulldogs are 4-0 to start the year and will face their first test in Tennessee.
While Mississippi State hasn't faced an SEC-caliber opponent to this point in the season, the Vols could also struggle with their road issues, which have been prevalent under Josh Heupel.
Every season, the Vols have been upset on the road in a game they shouldn't have lost. Last year, it was Arkansas; in 2023, it was Florida and Missouri; and in 2022, it was South Carolina.
That trend could end this season with favorable road trips outside of Tuscaloosa, but the Vols are going to have to bring their best every week to make sure they don't face another road upset.
If the line continues to drop below seven points, it could be an indication from Las Vegas of how they might think this game is going to go in favor of the Bulldogs.
Tennessee and Mississippi State are set to kick off at 4:15 PM ET on SEC Network on Saturday. The Bulldogs are hosting their whiteout game in an attempt to build early momentum and put the Vols on their heels from the start.