Disappointment abounds in college sports where one or two well-placed losses ruin a season, but this year, both the Volunteers of Tennessee and the Commodores of Vanderbilt have had more than their share of disappointments and embarrassing losses.
Vandy (2-9, 0-7 SEC) is riding a six-game losing streak and seeking its first SEC win of the season. Meanwhile, the Vols (6-5, 3-4 SEC) are limping through an uninspired effort that will once again leave them well below the elite in their vaunted conference.
Still, this matchup is also about pride, with Vanderbilt and Tennessee having met an amazing 115 times on the gridiron since 1892. Even if Tennessee has dominated the competition against a smaller, more academically-stringent school, this game creates a stir in the state. The odds heavily favor the Volunteers in this game.
In fact, if you want to bet on Tennessee with the point spread, you have to lay more than four touchdowns. Here are the betting odds for Saturday’s game.
Also Read: 5 tips when betting on the Tennessee Vols
Tennessee Vs. Vanderbilt Betting Odds
| Sportsbook | Point spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | Tennessee -31 (-110) Vanderbilt +31 (-110) | Tennessee -8000 Vanderbilt +2500 | Over 62.5 (-105) Under 62.5 (-115) |
| BetMGM | Tennessee -31.5 (-110) Vanderbilt +31.5 (-110) | Not Available | Over 62.5 (-110) Under 62.5 (-110) |
| Caesars | Tennessee -31 (-110) Vanderbilt +31 (-110) | Tennessee -15,000 Vanderbilt +2500 | Over 62.5 (-110) Under 62.5 (-110) |
| FanDuel | Tennessee -31.5 (-104) Vanderbilt +31.5 (-118) | Tennessee -10,000 Vanderbilt +2500 | Over 62.5 (-105) Under 62.5 (-115) |
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Defensively Challenged Teams
The site of this game, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, is one of the most theatrical in sports. More than 102,000 screaming fans, most of them wearing bright orange, will pack the venue to see this annual in-state rivalry game.
The Commodores are sputtering on both sides of the ball, but especially defensively. They have allowed at least 30 points in nine games. Last week they fought courageously against top 10-ranked Mississippi, but that’s the exception rather than the rule for first-year head coach Clark Lea.
Tennessee also hardly has a claim to being a defensive juggernaut. The Vols allow more than 400 yards per game, and five teams have scored at least 35 points on their defensive eleven this year. The Vols can score though: they rank 11th nationally in points per game at 38.5 this season.
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Betting Recommendation
That point spread in favor of the Vols looms large, and as FiveThirtyEight points out, the Vols have a 95% chance to win this game. Honestly that 4% for Vandy seems a little high. But, those points…I would take those points and bet on the Commodores to beat the spread on the road.
