NCAAF Odds: The Utah State Aggies are coming off three consecutive bowl berths for the first time in the history of the program but now must face the prospect of having to replace eight starters on offense and six starters on defense but do return star QB Chuckie Keeton to their lineup. The Tennessee Volunteers have been spending the last six seasons trying to get their coaching and leadership fixed and it looks like second year head man Butch Jones is the answer but he needs plenty more time to stock up a roster that was decimated by turmoil and inept recruiting.
The Tennessee Volunteers will host the Utah State Aggies at Neyland Stadium on Sunday night with coverage on SEC Network starting at 4 PM ET. BetDSI opened with Tennessee as a 5.5 point favorite.
Will Chuckie Create Tennessee Horror?
It was quite a testament to the Utah State program that they were able to win five out of their last six games to save a bowl berth as Keeton was out with injury. Keeton will be potentially vulnerable behind an offensive line that had five seniors depart. Second year head coach Matt Wells says his line is talented but just needs to gain experience. The receiving corps is also talented. Defense is a clearly stated priority of Wells and it was the bedrock reason for the Aggies winning the Mountain Division in 2013. A thin secondary is the worry on that side of the line. Although unproven the Aggies boast enough talent to contend for 10 wins and a bowl. Utah State has gone 13-5 against the spread in nonconference games.
Vols Stop Bleeding
The biggest accomplishment of Jones last year was to stop the bleeding of the program with its negativity and losing culture. Tennessee is back to recruiting at an elite level and it’s only a matter of time before a bowl game is back in their yearly holiday plans. Five starters return to each side of the ball led by senior QB Justin Worley. Tennessee has covered just two out of their last ten games as a home favorite and is just 2-6 against the spread in nonconference action.
Our Pick
We respect Jones and the SEC pedigree but Utah State has excelled in this situation before with strong road payouts against such teams as Auburn, Wisconsin, and USC. Utah State at +5.5 is the call.
