Two schools that like to run the football, Coach Barry Odom and the Missouri Tigers (-6) are facing off against their conference rival Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on CBS and this key daytime game is scheduled to get going at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Missouri Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
In this Saturday Southeastern matchup, Missouri is projected as the favorite and is currently giving up 6 points. The Tigers are also receiving -240 moneyline odds while the Volunteers are +190. Should one squad can get out in front in the early stages it’ll create a nice betting opportunity in-game. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 55.5 points.
This game’s opening line was initially 5 while the over/under was set originally at 56.5, so the early action has leaned toward both the Tigers and the under.
The Tigers have recorded 0.3 units so far in 2018 and are 4-5-1 against the spread (ATS). The team has recorded an Over-Under mark of 5-4. The Volunteers are up 4.8 units this season. The team is 5-5 ATS and has an O/U record of 4-6.
The Tigers have gone 6-4 straight up (SU), including 2-4 SU against conference opponents. The Volunteers are 5-5 SU overall and 2-4 SU in conference play.
Both teams enter this contest on two-game winning streaks. The Tigers are coming off a 33-28 win over Vanderbilt last week in which Drew Lock completed 22-of-33 passes for 253 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Damarea Crockett (122 yards on 22 rush attempts, one TD) and Larry Rountree III (92 yards on 21 carries) spearheaded the ground attack while Johnathon Johnson (six receptions, 70 yards) and Dominic Gicinto (four catches, 81 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Tennessee just got a 24-7 win over Kentucky. Jarrett Guarantano completed 12-of-20 passes for 197 yards and two touchdowns. Ty Chandler (89 rushing yards on 16 attempts) and Tim Jordan (63 yards on 15 carries, one TD) handled the running game while Dominick Wood-Anderson (four receptions, 18 yards, one TD) and Marquez Callaway (two catches, 56 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
Missouri has run the ball on 54.1 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Tennessee has a rush percentage of 60.8 percent. The Tigers have produced 196 rush yards/game (including 181 per game against Southeastern opponents) and have 21 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Vols are putting up 136 rushing yards per game (113 in conference) and have 12 total rush TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then it’s looking like the Tigers may hold an advantage in all aspects of the ground game, since their running backs has logged 4.7 yards per carry while the defense is allowing a YPC of 3.9 to opponents. The Volunteers have recorded 3.6 yards per carry and given up a YPC of 4.3 to opponents.
The Tigers offense has logged 278 yards/contest through the air overall (206 per game versus conference opposition) and has 21 passing scores so far. The Vols have produced 205 pass yards per contest (218.3 against SEC competition) and have 14 total pass TDs.
Defensively, Missouri has let opponents run for an average of 134 yards and throw for 277 yards per game. The Tennessee defense has allowed 205.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 152.7 yards per game to opposing runners. The Vols are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 5.96 to opposing QBs, while the Tigers have given up a 7.69 ANY/A.
Offensively, Lock is up to 2,397 passing yards this year, and has completed 61 percent of his 312 attempts with 18 passing scores and eight interceptions. He has a 7.15 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 7.57 over the last two outings.
On the other sideline, Jarrett Guarantano has connected on 124-of-194 passes for 1,596 yards, 10 TDs and two INTs. Guarantano’s ANY/A stands at 7.58 for the season and 9.14 across his last two outings.
When these two programs met a year ago, Missouri won handily 50-17.
RELATED: Week 12 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Betting Prediction: Missouri Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers
SU Winner – Missouri, ATS Winner – Missouri, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Notes
The Tennessee offense has lost 10 fumbles this season while Missouri has lost four.
The Tennessee D has sacked opposing quarterbacks 21 times this season. Missouri has produced 16 sacks.
Missouri has rushed for 4.4 yards per attempt over its past three contests and 5.2 over its last two.
Tennessee has averaged 3.8 yards per carry over its last three games and 3.6 over its last two.
In its last three contests, Tennessee is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The Over/Under for Missouri’s last game was set at 65.5. The under cashed in the team’s 33-28 win over Vanderbilt.
In its last three contests, Missouri is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The O/U for Tennessee’s last game was 43. The under cashed in the 24-7 win over Kentucky.
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