The 2023 college football season was a moderately disappointing one for Tennessee as the Vols slipped from 11-2 in 2022 to 9-4 last year.
What can we expect from Coach Josh Heupel’s club this season in the new-look SEC?
| Expert Prediction: Vols finish 9-3 in the regular season, not good enough to reach the SEC title game. |
|
To reach Playoff: Yes +181 / No -226 To win SEC: +1475 Regular-season win total: 8.5 Odds to Win National Title: +3500 |
Last Season
The problem with UT last year was playing on the road as three of its four losses were away: at Florida, Alabama and Missouri.
The lone home loss was a 38-10 blowout to No. 1 Georgia but the Vols routed Vanderbilt 48-24 in the regular-season finale to at least finish at .500 in the SEC at 4-4. UT then crushed short-handed Iowa 35-0 in the Citrus Bowl.
^Tennessee Quarterback
Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava ran for three touchdowns and threw for one in his first career start to lead Tennessee.
Iamaleava, a prized recruit for Volunteers coach Josh Heupel, stepped in for senior Joe Milton, who opted out of the game to prepare for the NFL draft.
The 19-year-old threw for 151 yards, and his 27 rushing yards included three scores.
Iamaleava will be the guy under center from Day 1 this year. He’s the prototypical quarterback for Heupel’s offense.
You saw glimpses of that in his few regular-season appearances as a freshman last year.
His MVP performance in Tennessee’s Citrus Bowl victory confirmed his enormous potential.
^Offensive of the Volunteers
The Vols have to keep him healthy and UT took steps to do that after last season. It retained three of its starting offensive linemen — a testament, in part, to UT’s NIL management.
And the school also landed LSU offensive tackle Lance Heard, a former five-star recruit, from the transfer portal.
Tailback Jaylen Wright is gone after averaging over seven yards per carry on 1,013 yards but Dylan Sampson returns after being Tennessee’s second-leading rusher last year with 604 yards on 106 carries with seven TDs.
^Bru McCoy
McCoy returns after a season-ending injury to lead the wide receiver corps. Also back is Squirrel White, who led the team with 67 catches for 803 yards in 2023.
Tulane transfer WR Chris Brazzell II could elevate the passing attack, as could Notre Dame transfer tight end Holden Staes.
Brazzell was a freshman All-America last year for the Green Wave as he caught 44 passes for 711 yards (16.2 avg) and five touchdowns.
^Defensive of the Volunteers
Tennessee’s defense features one of college football’s best players in edge rusher James Pearce Jr., a likely top-10 NFL Draft pick in 2025.
He earned All-SEC First Team honors last season after recording 10 sacks — tied for most in the conference — and 28 tackles, half of which were for a loss, plus 52 quarterback pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
He capped the year with a pick six in the Volunteers’ Citrus Bowl win over Iowa. Another big year from the pass rush is a must to help out a secondary with five new starters.
Pearce was named a 2024 Preseason All-American as was center Cooper Mays, who has played 2,075 career offensive snaps and issued only four sacks.
He was the leader of an offensive line that was named semifinalists for the Joe Moore Award in 2023.
The Volunteers were one of six programs to produce multiple first-team All-Americans, joining Alabama, Georgia, Michigan, Notre Dame and Ohio State.
In the preseason SEC poll, Tennessee was voted as the seventh-best team in the league.
The Vols open with a non-conference game on Aug. 31 against Chattanooga and probably will win all four non-conference games.
In the SEC, they avoid Texas but visit Oklahoma and Georgia and host Alabama and Florida.
Tennessee Football Schedule 2024
- Aug. 31 vs Chattanooga Mocs
- Sept. 7 vs NC State Wolfpack
- Sept. 14 vs Kent State Golden Flashes
- Sept. 21 at Oklahoma Sooners
- Sept. 28 OFF
- Oct. 5 at Arkansas Razorbacks
- Oct. 12 vs Florida Gators
- Oct. 19 vs Alabama Crimson Tide
- Oct. 26 OFF
- Nov. 2 vs Kentucky Wildcats
- Nov. 9 vs Mississippi State Bulldogs (HC)
- Nov. 16 at Georgia Bulldogs
- Nov. 23 vs UTEP Miners
- Nov. 30 at Vanderbilt Commodores
- Dec. 7 SEC Championship
| NCAAF Game Lines Odds to Win Conference National Championship Odds NCAAF Facts to Know |
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) July 29, 2024
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Tennessee Volunteers, June 17, 2024
The Southeastern Conference underwent a seismic shift this offseason, and the question on every Vol fan’s mind is: can Tennessee capitalize and become the college football best bet?
Before you jump on the bandwagon (or fade the hype), let’s dissect the Tennessee Volunteers’ season odds. By analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and the revamped SEC landscape, we can help you identify if the Vols are a legitimate threat and potentially your college football best bet .
Is Tennessee a Betting Favorite to Win the NCAA Championship? | MyBookie’s Preview of Tennessee’s Southeastern Conference Run
2024 Tennessee Volunteers Football Team | 133rd Season of the NCAA gridiron action | 4th season of Josh Heupel Head Coach
Southeastern Conference
2023 Record: 9–4 (4–4 SEC)
2024 Tennessee Volunteers this Season
The SEC went through a major change this past offseason.
Nick Saban, arguably the greatest coach in college football history, retired and Alabama handed the reigns to the most historic of all college football programs to an SEC outsider, Kalen DeBoer.
The conference also welcomes two of the Big 12’s best programs, Oklahoma and Texas.
Changes didn’t hit Tennessee where Josh Heupel has continued to build a program that he believes will soon rival Bama and Georgia.
Is this the year the Vols take the next step? Check out Tennessee Volunteers’ college football odds, analysis, and season predictions.
Tennessee Volunteers Season Preview
Tennessee Volunteers Changes on Offense
The Volunteers hand the ball off to 2023 freshman quarterback, and the top recruit in his class, Nico Iamaleava.
If the name sounds familiar, it’s because Iamaleava led the Volunteers to a 35-0 victory over Iowa in last season’s Citrus Bowl.
Nico is 6’ 6” and weighs 210 pounds.
Most consider him a top dual-threat quarterback.
Now that he’s had a full spring in Heupel’s system as the starter, the offense should excel.
That is, it will excel if the offensive line steps up.
Heupel transferred LSU player Lance Heard to start at left tackle.
The rest of the line is made up of seniors.
So if Heard can rally around the upper classmen and give Iamaleava time, the line should develop into one of the conference’s best.
Heupel always finds wide receivers and running backs.
No problem there as Chriz Brazzel, Bru McCoy and Squirrel White will ensure Iamaleava has enough targets to get the ball downfield.
Tennessee Volunteers Changes on Defense
Sophomore cornerback Jermod McCoy played for one of last season’s top defenses, Oregon State’s.
The Beavers landed in the ACC, which is why many of their players, including McCoy, transferred to other schools.
McCoy and corner mate Ricky Gibson III, a Tennessee player his entire college career, will have their hands full this season.
The SEC is chockful of quality spread offenses.
So McCoy, Gibson III, and the safeties, Andre Turrentine and Jakobe Thomas, a Middle Tennessee transfer, must be at their best.
The defensive line and linebackers include 4 seniors, a junior, and a sophomore, WLB Arion Carter.
If Carter, a highly recruited player, takes the next step, Tennessee’s defense should be good.
Tennessee Volunteers Schedule Analysis
Win Total Odds
- Over 9.5 +130
- Under 9.5 -160
Tennessee if one of the few SEC teams that must play both Alabama and Georgia.
The game versus Bama is at home.
It’s also one that the Volunteers can win this season because Alabama’s defense may not be as solid as it has been in the past.
However, DeBoer’s offense is going to roll.
Not only that, but Iamaleava is experienced.
Still, the Volunteers have depth on defense, something they haven’t had in a while, and the offensive line with the addition of Heard could be something special.
Tennessee upsets Oklahoma in Norman on Sep 21 on their way to a 2 loss regular season.
Take a chance on over the 9.5 total.
Tennessee RWS Pick: Over 9.5 +130 | Current CFB Regular Season Wins
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Prop
Tennessee Volunteers SEC Odds +1100
The SEC is too deep for Tennessee to win this season.
The Volunteers could go 10-2 during the regular season and then lose in the SEC title game, or not even make the title game, because Bama, or Texas, or Georgia, or 2 of the 3 power teams in the conference go undefeated.
Georgia should go undefeated in conference play.
Texas projects to lose 1 conference game.
Ole Miss could lose 1 conference game if the Rebels upset LSU on the road.
So the chances of the Volunteers, whose 2 losses will be versus Georgia and another conference opponent, making the SEC title game is a longshot.
Go no on the Vols winning the SEC.
Bet the Tennessee’s SEC Odds | SEC College Football Odds MyBookie Betting Lines for the Conference
Tennessee Volunteers Odds to Win the National Championship +3300
The odds on the Volunteers put them in the midrange category.
Tennessee has a chance to make the College Football Playoff.
Still, although the playoff has expanded, only so many SEC teams will get the call.
The Volunteers could have a bang up regular season with 2 to 3 losses.
But if the 2 to 3 losses are against Georgia, Alabama, or Oklahoma, Tennessee may not have a win versus a ranked team.
So the Vols are a longshot to even make the 12-Team College Football Playoff.
Tennessee isn’t worth a play to win the National Championship.
Bet the Tennessee’s Championship Odds | College Football Championship odds MyBookie Betting Lines for the Title
2024 College Football Week 1 Schedule
Next Games in the NCAAF Calendar
Week 1 of the 2024 College Football season kicks off on Saturday, August 24th, with exciting matchups across the country!
2023 Tennessee Volunteers Schedule
Bet the Tennessee’s Season | Best Bets in College Football Today MyBookie Betting Lines for the Tournament
MyBookie offers the current College Football betting lines for the season to win.
Who Will Reign Supreme? 2024 College Football National Championship Odds Revealed!
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Georgia Bulldogs | +265 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | +390 |
| Ohio State Buckeyes | +390 |
| Texas Longhorns | +500 |
| Oregon Ducks | +1100 |
| Alabama Crimson Tide | +1175 |
| Ole Miss Rebels | +1425 |
| Penn State Nittany Lions | +1900 |
| Miami (FL) Hurricanes | +2100 |
| Tennessee Volunteers | +2300 |
| LSU Tigers | +3900 |
| Missouri Tigers | +4000 |
| USC Trojans | +4400 |
| Utah Utes | +4900 |
| Clemson Tigers | +6000 |
| Oklahoma Sooners | +6800 |
| Kansas State Wildcats | +8000 |
| Notre Dame Fighting Irish | +8500 |
| Texas A&M Aggies | +9000 |
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The 2022 Tennessee Volunteers were successful at putting the program back on the map. The Volunteers won 11 games last season and handed Clemson a 17-point defeat in the Orange Bowl. Now, the Volunteers have to figure out how to continue to compete in the SEC East Division.
Tennessee will turn back to Joe Milton at quarterback following the graduation of Hendon Hooker. In limited action last season, Milton passed for 971 yards with 10 touchdowns and no interceptions. He will have to keep Tennessee’s offense running at warp speed if the Volunteers will replicate last year’s success.
Let’s see if the Tennessee Volunteers have what it takes to back the betting lines to win the National Championship.
Tennessee Volunteers 2023 Season Betting Guide | MyBookie College Betting Preview
Tennessee Volunteers | Southeastern Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season
Alabama Odds to Win Championship: +2800
School: University of Tennessee
Head coach: Josh Heupel | 3rd season
Home field: Neyland Stadium | Knoxville, Tennessee
Tennessee Volunteers Records
Volunteers 2022 SU Record: 11-2 (6-2 SEC)
Volunteers 2022 ATS Record: 10-3-0
Volunteers 2023 Over Under Record: 8-4
Expectations for the 2023 Season
The over/under for Tennessee’s season is set at nine games. How the Volunteers will fare in the East Division is impacted by who they share the division with. Tennessee has the misfortune of being in with Georgia, which is the two-time defending champions that aren’t ready to give up the crowd yet. The Volunteers are +400 to win the division and +2000 to win the conference.
The Bulldogs are -400 to win the division.
Non-Conference Play Doesn’t have Many Landmines
The Volunteers’ only tricky game in the non-conference could be their neutral site season opener with Virginia. The Cavaliers struggled in their first season under coach Tony Elliott but could present some challenges as Tennessee adjust to some new personnel, though it seems Tennessee should pound Virginia.
The Volunteer’s non-conference schedule also included Austin Peay, UTSA and UCONN. None of those teams is likely to threaten Tennessee.
SEC Play will Feature Plenty of Tough Road Trips
The Volunteers’ path to an SEC title will feature a few tough road trips at the end of October. Tennessee will have to go to Bryant-Denny Stadium to try and beat Alabama for the second straight season. The Volunteers will follow that trip up the following week with a matchup with a scrappy Kentucky program.
Winning both those games would be a plus for Tennessee, but the Volunteers need at least one to stay in the SEC East race.
Neyland Stadium will Be Busy this Fall
The Volunteers will play five of their first six games at home. The most anticipated home game won’t come until Nov. 18. That’s when Georgia will visit Tennessee. The Bulldogs have won six straight matchups against the Volunteers.
Tennessee’s last win in the series came during a 34-31 decision back in 2016. Since then, the Bulldogs have transformed into the nation’s premiere program while Tennessee is trying to find its way forward.
Tennessee Volunteers Prediction for 2023 Season
Tennessee is a team that is built to be a scoring machine. Volunteers coach Josh Huepel wants to push the pace and keep Tennssee’s offense on the move. The Volunteers won’t be challenged in the non-conference and have a friendly home schedule. If Tennesse can win on the road at Kentucky and hold serve, the Volunteers should be able to get to double-digit wins in the regular season.
We’ll give Bama one more over than under game this season because oddsmakers could, especially early in the season, discount Bama’s offense due to the change at offensive coordinator and the QB questions. Let’s go 6-6 over-to-under.
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