The Tennessee Volunteers hit the road in a critical SEC Eastern Division matchup as they square off with the Gamecocks of South Carolina.
As far as the college football playoff is concerned, there is absolutely zero room for error for the Vols as they must win out and then hope things fall their way, as just four teams will make the playoffs.
In South Carolina, Tennessee will encounter a team that has not been the model of consistency under second-year leader Shane Beamer.
Both teams have one regular season game remaining after this week. They’re both rivalry matchups as the Gamecocks will travel to Death Valley for a date with Clemson in one of the most anticipated matchups on the college football schedule.
The Vols head across the state to Nashville for a showdown with Vanderbilt, a squad mired towards the bottom of the college football team standings.
With the 2022 regular season reaching a conclusion in a matter of weeks, and a quick look at college football matchups this week, it is not far-fetched to call this a big game.
This game features a Tennessee offense that finds itself high atop the college football team stats, especially on the offensive end, where they’ve kept scoreboard operators busy.
Be sure to check out the preview below for all the latest when it comes to Tennessee vs South Carolina betting analysis, including the latest college football injuries as well as other pertinent news to pick a winner on the college football point spread this Saturday in Columbia.
Last Game Records
Tennessee comes into the matchup with a 9-1 overall record and a 5-1 mark in conference play. South Carolina is 6-4 on the year and 3- 4 within the confines of the SEC.
Matchup Information
Tennessee Volunteers vs. South Carolina Gamecocks Betting Analysis
Below, we will delve into a detailed analysis of both teams and, in turn, go over key factors in play in Tennessee vs South Carolina betting analysis.
While the spread is high, a shade over three scores at 21.5, Tennessee has an explosive offense and the ability to put points on the board. South Carolina comes home after a blowout loss in the Swamp and having lost two of three.
Inside the Vols
One of the sport’s biggest surprises, Tennessee enters the game with just one loss and on the precipice of punching its ticket to the college football playoff.
While experts knew the Vols’ offense would be potent, they significantly underestimated its defensive unit.
Volunteers’ Offense
Offensively, the team runs an SEC-high 82.3 offensive plays. They throw the ball 54.1 percent of the time.
In looking at Tennessee Vols football stats, they rank third in America in total yards per game and are 4th in passing yards. Defensively, they are especially stingy against the run, ranking 22nd and surrendering 104.5 yards a game.
Hendon Hooker Performance
Senior quarterback Hendon Hooker has been the story for Vols, completing 71.1 percent of his passes, averaging 288.8 yards through the air per game, and tossing 24 touchdowns against just two interceptions.
Amazingly for his career in Knoxville, after transferring from Virginia Tech, he has tossed 55 touchdowns and just five picks. He ranks second in all the land in college football player stats with a 90.1 QBR.
Inside the Gamecocks
Expectations were somewhat muted in Beamer’s second year. The team closed the 2021 season with a somewhat convincing 38-21 win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
After a 3-2 start, with a road loss to Arkansas and home setback to Georgia, USC won at Kentucky and at home against Texas A&M Aggies.
With chatter in the college football world beginning to get louder after a 5-2 start, Beamer’s team laid an egg on the road as a 3.5 point favorite at Missouri, losing 23-10 outright.
Gamecocks Offense
Offensively, USC runs an average of 64.9 offensive plays per game and throws it 57 percent of the time. In terms of South Carolina Gamecocks rankings nationally, the team is 159th nationally in total offense and 123rd in passing yards.
Gamecocks Defense
Defensively, they have struggled against the run (219th) but have had some success against the pass (T63rd).
A high-profile transfer from Oklahoma, Gamecock quarterback Spencer Rattler has completed 65 percent of his throws, registering eight touchdowns against nine interceptions.
His favorite target has been speedy junior wideout Antwane Wells, a transfer from James Madison.
Wells has saved his two best performances for conference competition, snaring eight balls for 189 yards at Arkansas and catching four balls for 110 yards at Vandy.
NCAAF Injury Report
On the college football injury report, star Tennessee receiver Cedric Tillman, a preseason All-SEC selection, is expected to play this week by Heupel and could’ve gone against Missouri, according to his coach.
South Carolina’s Marshawn Lloyd has missed the last two games due to an ankle injury and is listed as questionable for this matchup.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina Betting Preview
This is a classic case of a team that is hot and has something to play for against a team that is struggling and may just be looking to play out the string.
A few trends in play, South Carolina is 5-0 ATS in the last five after blowouts (games in which they’ve scored 20 or less).
The over is 10-1 in the last 11 Tennessee games, where the Vols are favored by 10.5 or more.
Tennessee vs. South Carolina Betting Prediction
We expect Tennessee, who has so much to play for, will thrive in a hostile environment, much as they have this season, and score early and often against a South Carolina defense that struggles against the pass.
We will take the Vols and lay the -22.
NCAAF Pick: Tennessee -22 (-110)
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