Tennessee has come close to online sports betting upsets of the top two teams in the country, and this time, they get a ranked opponent at home as No.22 South Carolina visits Neyland Stadium on Saturday night.
South Carolina vs Tennessee Odds – Saturday, October 31, 7:45 PM ET
Stephen Garcia tossed two touchdown passes in a 14-10 win over Vanderbilt, and the Gamecocks (6-2, 3-2) got a great performance from their pivot, who went 22-of-33 for 312 yards with no picks. Garcia and Alshon Jeffery hooked up on a 43-yard pass with under 13 minutes left in the fourth, and Jeffery had eight catches for 161 yards on the day for the Gamecocks, who outgained the Commodores 431-273. Still, this wasn’t a convincing win for South Carolina, who were coming off a 20-6 loss at Alabama.
Speaking of Alabama, the Volunteers (3-4, 1-3) gave the Crimson Tide all they wanted and more in a 12-10 loss last weekend as Daniel Lincoln had a 44-yard field goal blocked at the end of the regulation, his second blocked kick of the day. This wasted a decent performance by Jonathan Crompton, who was 21-of-36 for 265 yards, a touchdown and a pick after a terrible showing in the Vols’ first big game against Florida. The defense is 10th in the country, and they showed why by holding the Crimson Tide to 256 yards. Once Tennessee gets consistent quarterbacking, look for the Vols to be a sleeper college football betting pick, possibly next year.
Sportsbook odds have the Vols as a 6-point favorite, and they’ve won eight of their last 10 against the Gamecocks, who routed Tennessee 27-6 at home last year. Three of the last four have gone under the posted total, and this one should as well as both teams rank in the top 14 in defense, while their offenses are middle of the pack. Lane Kiffin (and his father Monte, the defensive coordinator) has changed the culture at Tennessee back to one where they believe they can play with anyone in the country, and now they’ve proven it with great games at Florida and Alabama. This is the week they get their well-deserved win over a ranked opponent, as South Carolina has been known to struggle down the stretch, and they’re 3-7 in their last 10 road games.
College football predictions: Tennessee -6
