Vegas SEC Predictions
Utah State at Tennessee (Sunday)
Line: Tennessee by 6
Betsided
As the Tennessee Vols and Butch Jones continue to try to rebuild, this is the trendy upset pick of the week. The Vols have a lot of very young talent, and believe me, it’s talent, and they have to replace their entire offensive and defensive lines. That opens up a lot of questions going into this season, despite the incredibly raw talent all over the field that Jones has brought in on the recruiting trail. Tennessee finally has some stability in the coaching staff, and the team may be young, but as Jones said, that makes them very hungry to get on the field and make an impact. Senior quarterback Justin Worley is back and healthy and has a loaded receiver crew along with great running backs, so the skill positions are in great shape. The trenches will have to be answered, and how far along they are will show Sunday.
Utah State is probably the worst mid-major team for the Vols to open against, though, because when you have questions on your defensive line, going up against a dark-horse Heisman candidate in mobile quarterback Chuckie Keeton is dangerous. It’s the perfect match-up for the Aggies and the perfect chance for a good mid-major team to pull of an upset. Keeton is back after missing most of last year due to injuries, and there’s a lot of hype surrounding him. Just how good he is could show a little bit on Sunday.
Prediction
The amount of freaking out done by the losses Tennessee suffered on the defensive line is overhyped because the line wasn’t good last year. This may be the trendy upset pick, but Keeton still has to get his rhythm back from injury, and playing in Knoxville can be intimidating for any mid-major quarterback or team. With a strong Tennessee secondary as well, Keeton will have fits throwing the ball, and the Vols offense will use its skill players to bury the Aggies. The game will be close in the first half, but Tennessee will have two or three big plays to make the difference in the second half and cover the spread.
Tennessee: 28 Utah State: 17