** Copied/Pasted from TOS - Original thread created at 3:05 p.m., November 3rd**
The Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks face off on Saturday in Knoxville in SEC college football action.
The Tennessee Volunteers are 4-4 this season and are coming off of a dominating win over Kentucky last Saturday. The Tennessee offense is averaging 36.1 points and 424.1 yards per game and they have turned the ball over eight times. Vols QB Joshua Dobbs is completing 58.5 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions and he has rushed for 438 yards and seven touchdowns. Jalen Hurd is Tennessee’s top rusher with 725 yards and nine touchdowns and Josh Malone leads in receptions with 23. The Volunteer defense is allowing 24.2 points and 403.4 yards with six interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and 16 sacks. Jalen Reeves-Maybin has 73 tackles, Brian Randolph has 51 tackles, and Derek Barnett has 41 tackles and five sacks. Tennessee played perhaps their best game of the year last week.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are 3-5 this season as they continue to watch their bowl hopes fade. The South Carolina offense is averaging 21.4 points and 364.9 yards per game and they have turned the ball over 11 times. Gamecocks QB Perry Orth has struggled completed 54.3 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and six interceptions. Brandon Wilds is back in action in the USC backfield averaging 5.6 yards per carry and Pharoh Cooper leads in receptions with 44 and four touchdowns. The South Carolina defense is allowing 27.4 points and 430.5 yards per game with nine interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 14 sacks. Skai Moore leads the Gamecocks with 83 tackles and four interceptions, Isaiah Johnson has 54 tackles, and T.J. Gurley has 38 tackles. South Carolina put up a solid effort last week at Texas A&M and could have turned a corner even if it still might be too late.
Tennessee is 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 home games, 6-14-1 against the spread following a win, and 2-6 against the spread against a team with a losing record. South Carolina is 2-5 against the spread following a game that they covered the point spread and 5-2 against the spread following a game that they rushed for more than 200 yards. The road team has covered the point spread in four of the last five meetings of these two.
Vegas line opening: -16 to -16.5
Current Line: -16.5 to -17
Projected Game Total: 56.5
I talked to 4 sharps betting on this game, and all of them have bet on a Tennessee game before. So let’s get this started.
Sharp #1
Tennessee is starting to get in the groove they need to be. This makes this game all that much more unpredictable. This sharp is not really sure what to make of the vols defense. He was saying they look like they are just beginning to pour it on, but is this because of other teams, or is it because they are truly getting better? He really wants to think they are getting better, but is not ready to put that notion out there yet. This is last team that they will play that really has any chance of scoring points with them, but it also is the last big name team (he said North Texas is another bye week for them) that they will see a porous defense from. How can anyone not see Tennessee putting up 50 points again? Dobbs is getting better, and here is why Dobbs is getting better; the coaches are allowing him to make mistakes, and good for both of them. That’s bad news for other teams. Last week Dobbs made a few throws that he missed every other week. If the defense can buckle up against the run, they can do some damage. All in all, this sharp is waiting for the totals numbers to drop and will be taking the over.
When forced to pick he chose Tennessee 49 South Carolina 28
Sharp #2
This sharp mainly talked about motivation. Motivation determines how a team plays the last 4 games. They have basically been eliminated from the SEC title game, and unless Miss. St and Texas A&M lose a couple games, they are looking at the Music City Bowl or Belk Bowl. Upgrades from last year? Absolutely. With some help, if the Vols win out in impressive fashion, the Liberty Bowl and Outback could come into play. This is a chance to play against another ranked team, in which the vols would be very focused. The defense is really starting to come along, the offensive play calling has gotten better each game, young players are starting to see the lightbulb come on, and the special teams is truly scary. With that being said this sharp does not think this game is close, but the over is the best play.
Tennessee 54 South Carolina 23
Sharp #3
This sharp is buying the new energy that South Carolina is bringing along with a healthy Brandon Wilds will keep this game within 3 scores. Tennessee has to prove they can stop the run when it counts, and he is not convinced. Tennessee pass defense is certainly tightening up each week, but the run defense still gets gashed at inopportune times. With that being said South Carolina will not be able to keep Tennessee at bay. They have not been able to do so the past couple of years, and this is the most high powered offense the vols have put out the last couple of years. Kamara really gets the defenses attention when he steps on the field. Very versatile. Dobbs is the X-factor as he should be, and although the aggies quarterback just sliced up South Carolina’s defense, Dobbs won’t do that in the same way. This sharp thinks this game gets off to a slow start and picks up in the second half with Tennessee pulling away
Tennessee 36 South Carolina 23
Sharp #4
This last sharp was really the only sharp that is backing the Tennessee line. He is waiting to see Tennessee put a complete half together. One where the talent level on both sides of the ball matches the production they should have against a team that should not be close to beating them. He believes that game is against South Carolina. There is nothing that can weather the storm that is coming for them. Behind closed doors, this team is not happy with their personal goals or team goals. They will try to spend these last 4 games rectifying those wrongs. The receivers, especially 25, 9, and 3, look like they finally got the dog in their system to go get balls. Hurd is primed for a huge game, and the offensive line is getting better. That is not where the breaks will come. It is finally time for the defense to have multiple take aways. Look for 2 or more interceptions and at least one of those by a corner. This sharp sees a lot of sacks maybe 7-10. This will not be pretty.
Tennessee 58 South Carolina 10
Sharp #1 is sharp #4 from UGA: he predicted he predicted Georgia and BGSU would cover
Sharp #2 is the sharp #2 from UK: He predicted Tenn cover vs UK, Bama would win and cover, Ark would win and cover
Sharp #3 is sharp #5 from Fl: Picked Tenn to win and cover
Sharp #4 is Sharp #4 from UK: He picked Tenn cover vs UK, pick Tenn cover over bama but loss, also picked OU would cover and win and Tenn to cover and Win vs UGA
All in all people expect Tennessee to win and win fairly easily with a very good offense. Some are uncertain about what to expect from the defense, but the general vibe around these guys is that they should want to finish strong and no one believes anything otherwise.
Hope you guys enjoy
Go Vols
The Tennessee Volunteers and the South Carolina Gamecocks face off on Saturday in Knoxville in SEC college football action.
The Tennessee Volunteers are 4-4 this season and are coming off of a dominating win over Kentucky last Saturday. The Tennessee offense is averaging 36.1 points and 424.1 yards per game and they have turned the ball over eight times. Vols QB Joshua Dobbs is completing 58.5 percent of his passes with 11 touchdowns and three interceptions and he has rushed for 438 yards and seven touchdowns. Jalen Hurd is Tennessee’s top rusher with 725 yards and nine touchdowns and Josh Malone leads in receptions with 23. The Volunteer defense is allowing 24.2 points and 403.4 yards with six interceptions, five fumble recoveries, and 16 sacks. Jalen Reeves-Maybin has 73 tackles, Brian Randolph has 51 tackles, and Derek Barnett has 41 tackles and five sacks. Tennessee played perhaps their best game of the year last week.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are 3-5 this season as they continue to watch their bowl hopes fade. The South Carolina offense is averaging 21.4 points and 364.9 yards per game and they have turned the ball over 11 times. Gamecocks QB Perry Orth has struggled completed 54.3 percent of his passes with four touchdowns and six interceptions. Brandon Wilds is back in action in the USC backfield averaging 5.6 yards per carry and Pharoh Cooper leads in receptions with 44 and four touchdowns. The South Carolina defense is allowing 27.4 points and 430.5 yards per game with nine interceptions, three fumble recoveries, and 14 sacks. Skai Moore leads the Gamecocks with 83 tackles and four interceptions, Isaiah Johnson has 54 tackles, and T.J. Gurley has 38 tackles. South Carolina put up a solid effort last week at Texas A&M and could have turned a corner even if it still might be too late.
Tennessee is 7-3 against the spread in their last 10 home games, 6-14-1 against the spread following a win, and 2-6 against the spread against a team with a losing record. South Carolina is 2-5 against the spread following a game that they covered the point spread and 5-2 against the spread following a game that they rushed for more than 200 yards. The road team has covered the point spread in four of the last five meetings of these two.
Vegas line opening: -16 to -16.5
Current Line: -16.5 to -17
Projected Game Total: 56.5
I talked to 4 sharps betting on this game, and all of them have bet on a Tennessee game before. So let’s get this started.
Sharp #1
Tennessee is starting to get in the groove they need to be. This makes this game all that much more unpredictable. This sharp is not really sure what to make of the vols defense. He was saying they look like they are just beginning to pour it on, but is this because of other teams, or is it because they are truly getting better? He really wants to think they are getting better, but is not ready to put that notion out there yet. This is last team that they will play that really has any chance of scoring points with them, but it also is the last big name team (he said North Texas is another bye week for them) that they will see a porous defense from. How can anyone not see Tennessee putting up 50 points again? Dobbs is getting better, and here is why Dobbs is getting better; the coaches are allowing him to make mistakes, and good for both of them. That’s bad news for other teams. Last week Dobbs made a few throws that he missed every other week. If the defense can buckle up against the run, they can do some damage. All in all, this sharp is waiting for the totals numbers to drop and will be taking the over.
When forced to pick he chose Tennessee 49 South Carolina 28
Sharp #2
This sharp mainly talked about motivation. Motivation determines how a team plays the last 4 games. They have basically been eliminated from the SEC title game, and unless Miss. St and Texas A&M lose a couple games, they are looking at the Music City Bowl or Belk Bowl. Upgrades from last year? Absolutely. With some help, if the Vols win out in impressive fashion, the Liberty Bowl and Outback could come into play. This is a chance to play against another ranked team, in which the vols would be very focused. The defense is really starting to come along, the offensive play calling has gotten better each game, young players are starting to see the lightbulb come on, and the special teams is truly scary. With that being said this sharp does not think this game is close, but the over is the best play.
Tennessee 54 South Carolina 23
Sharp #3
This sharp is buying the new energy that South Carolina is bringing along with a healthy Brandon Wilds will keep this game within 3 scores. Tennessee has to prove they can stop the run when it counts, and he is not convinced. Tennessee pass defense is certainly tightening up each week, but the run defense still gets gashed at inopportune times. With that being said South Carolina will not be able to keep Tennessee at bay. They have not been able to do so the past couple of years, and this is the most high powered offense the vols have put out the last couple of years. Kamara really gets the defenses attention when he steps on the field. Very versatile. Dobbs is the X-factor as he should be, and although the aggies quarterback just sliced up South Carolina’s defense, Dobbs won’t do that in the same way. This sharp thinks this game gets off to a slow start and picks up in the second half with Tennessee pulling away
Tennessee 36 South Carolina 23
Sharp #4
This last sharp was really the only sharp that is backing the Tennessee line. He is waiting to see Tennessee put a complete half together. One where the talent level on both sides of the ball matches the production they should have against a team that should not be close to beating them. He believes that game is against South Carolina. There is nothing that can weather the storm that is coming for them. Behind closed doors, this team is not happy with their personal goals or team goals. They will try to spend these last 4 games rectifying those wrongs. The receivers, especially 25, 9, and 3, look like they finally got the dog in their system to go get balls. Hurd is primed for a huge game, and the offensive line is getting better. That is not where the breaks will come. It is finally time for the defense to have multiple take aways. Look for 2 or more interceptions and at least one of those by a corner. This sharp sees a lot of sacks maybe 7-10. This will not be pretty.
Tennessee 58 South Carolina 10
Sharp #1 is sharp #4 from UGA: he predicted he predicted Georgia and BGSU would cover
Sharp #2 is the sharp #2 from UK: He predicted Tenn cover vs UK, Bama would win and cover, Ark would win and cover
Sharp #3 is sharp #5 from Fl: Picked Tenn to win and cover
Sharp #4 is Sharp #4 from UK: He picked Tenn cover vs UK, pick Tenn cover over bama but loss, also picked OU would cover and win and Tenn to cover and Win vs UGA
All in all people expect Tennessee to win and win fairly easily with a very good offense. Some are uncertain about what to expect from the defense, but the general vibe around these guys is that they should want to finish strong and no one believes anything otherwise.
Hope you guys enjoy
Go Vols
