Week 2 of college football provided plenty of exciting contests, including the Texas vs. Alabama thriller in Tuscaloosa. Now, Week 3 is on the way, and there are a few interesting games to keep on your radar on the SEC on Saturday, Sept. 16 — none bigger than the “Third Saturday in September” Tennessee vs. Florida rivalry.
With the next slate of matchups on the horizon, we’re taking a look at the SEC football odds for some of the conference’s best games.
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SEC Football Odds for Week 3
Tennessee vs. Florida (7 p.m. ET on ESPN)
The Vols are 2-0 on the season, but there are multiple challenges beginning to emerge in Rocky Top — QB play and defense. Although they won both of their games by at least two touchdowns, the Vols haven’t appeared quite as dominant offensively as the first two years under coach Josh Heupel. The biggest reason is the pedestrian start to the season for QB Joe Milton III. On paper, his numbers are fine, but that’s thanks in large part to yards after the catch on short yardage passes.
He hasn’t created the big plays that made the offense the highest scoring in the league last season. Florida hasn’t been great in 2023, but its defense can make this contest a close one, especially given the challenges the Vols’ faced against two much lesser opponents to start the season. The Gators have already faced a ranked opponent, and although it resulted in a loss, they performed well on the defensive side of the ball against No. 12 Utah. The Utes were without their star QB Cam Rising in the contest, but their offense still presented multiple challenges.
As the Gators’ transfer starting QB Graham Mertz gets comfortable in the new offense, the more of a threat they will become. The Vols may be first in line to see just how much of a threat they can be in 2023.
LSU vs. Mississippi State (Noon ET on ESPN)
LSU is looking to test its mettle against an SEC foe this weekend. The last time the Tigers faced a formidable team, they suffered a thrashing at the hands of Florida State. The Bulldogs aren’t on the level of Florida State, but they have scored at least 30 in both games so far and have playmakers who could make the contest interesting.
Last year, Mississippi held a narrow lead going into the fourth quarter and were making life pretty difficult for LSU QB Jayden Daniels, who didn’t register a third down conversion until the fourth quarter. Eventually, Daniels and company made the Bulldogs pay in the fourth quarter thanks to turnovers and timely scrambles.
Mississippi State returned a significant percentage of their defensive production this year and has a good amount of familiarity with LSU’s current offense. If they can continue their zero-turnover performance from the first two games of the season, LSU is in for another dog fight that makes the lines for this contest one you should strongly consider.
Georgia Tech vs. Ole Miss (7:30 ET on SEC Network)
Ole Miss is 2-0 on the season and ranked No. 17. After two gimme games to start the season, the Rebels will face their toughest opponent yet in the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. The Yellow Jackets are scoring with the best of them thanks to starting QB Haynes King, who has thrown for at least three touchdowns in both starts so far in 2023.
King is taking full advantage of the playing time after transferring from Texas A&M. In two games, he has thrown for 603 yards and seven touchdowns. Ole Miss hasn’t faced anyone with the firepower of Georgia Tech, which puts this game on upset alert. In the Rebels’ second game of the season against Tulane, they allowed 231 passing yards and a touchdown through the air to Kai Horton, and 92 rushing yards and a touchdown to Makhi Hughes in a 37-20 victory.
That’s concerning given who they are up against this Saturday. The Rebels’ starting QB Jaxson Dart is coming off an 11-interception season. He threw the ball 25 or more times nine times last season, and in six of those games, he tossed at least one interception. That includes a three interception game against Texas Tech to end the season. To keep pace with the Yellow Jackets, his arm will be a critical piece, and he has proven to be turnover prone when that’s the case.
Keep an eye out for Georgia Tech in this one.
