College Football Odds: SEC Week 12 picks against the spread
Nov 14, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Jalen Hurd (1) runs the ball against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
- Date: Saturday November 21, 2015
- Time: 7:15 PM Eastern
- Location: Columbia, MO
- TV Channel: ESPN2
- Spread: Tennessee -7.5
- Over/Under Total: 42.5
Like Auburn, the Missouri Tigers still need one more victory to become bowl eligible. The Tigers earned their fifth win of the season last week in an emotional upset over BYU in Kansas City. Not only has the team been troubled by disappointing results this season following back-to-back SEC East titles, tensions have risen on campus and head coach Gary Pinkel announced his retirement effective at the end of the season.
The result was the best offensive performance since the season opener in a 20-16 victory over the Cougars in which Mizzou gained 434 total yards. Running back Russell Hansbrough finally looked fully healthy and recorded season highs with 117 rushing yards and 26 carries. Quarterback Drew Lock showed improved accuracy with 244 passing yards on 19-for-28 passing with a touchdown and an interception and the Tigers were strong again on defense by limiting BYU to just 290 total yards and forcing two turnovers.
Mizzou’s next opponent – and perhaps the Tigers’ best shot for a sixth victory – is Tennessee, who was dominant defensively in a 24-0 Homecoming victory over North Texas. The Vols allowed just 199 total yards to the Mean Green.
The outcome was never in question, but Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs had one of his least productive games of the season with just 136 passing yards and an interception in addition to only three rushing yards.
Alvin Kamara and Jalen Hurd combined for 199 rushing yards and three touchdowns, but Dobbs will need to be much more of a factor this week against a Missouri defense that ranks in the top 20 nationally in scoring defense (14.7 points per game, No. 5), rushing defense (112.7 rushing yards per game, No. 15), pass defense (184.0 passing yards per game, No. 17) and total defense (297.7 total yards per game, No. 8).
Expect a close game, and for the Tigers to play their hearts out in Pinkel’s home finale with bowl eligibility on the line. But expect the Vols to win.
Next: Texas A&M at Vanderbilt