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SEC Predictions Week 2: Picking Games Against the Spread

By Nicholas Ian Allen

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Sep 5, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Alvin Kamara (6) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Bowling Green Falcons with teammate Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Tennessee won 59-30. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

  • Date: Saturday September 12, 2014
  • Time: 6PM Eastern
  • Location: Knoxville, TN
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Spread: Oklahoma -1.5
  • Over/Under Total: 61

There were some very concerning moments in Tennessee’s 59-30 victory over Bowling Green last week. The most obvious was the second quarter in which the Falcons continually gashed the Vols’ secondary to pull the score to within one point late in the second quarter. Actually, Tennessee struggled defending the pass all game and surrendered 433 passing yards.

Part of the problem was the defensive backfield, and part was the lack of a consistent pass rush – both of which were strengths of the team last season and should bounce back in the coming weeks. But, both will surely be tested again Saturday by Oklahoma.

The Sooners got off to a bit of a slow start in Week 1 before blasting Akron 41-3. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 388 yards and three touchdowns and added a touchdown on the ground. Oddly, the Sooners only managed 100 rushing yards, but with Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon, they are very capable of running the football as well. Oklahoma is favored, and comes in ranked slightly ahead of the Vols in the AP Top 25 – which is an issue. Tennessee has been dreadful against ranked teams in recent years.

Want to know how much things have changed in Knoxville since the end of the Phil Fulmer era? As a head coach, Fulmer had a 42-37-1 record against ranked opponents. Since he was fired after the 2008 season, Tennessee has just two victories over ranked teams in 31 opportunities.

They are the slightest of underdogs at home, but this Tennessee team has what it takes to reverse history and pull off the upset.

Next: Ball State at Texas A&M

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