Arkansas vs Tennessee College Football Odds Guide

Arkansas vs Tennessee College Football Odds Guide

Written by on October 3, 2015

In a NCAA Football betting duel that can easily be deemed as a face-off between teams that are both desperate to find a win, the (2-2) Tennessee Volunteers will host to the (1-3) Arkansas Razorbacks. The Volunteers are coming into this game after what looked like a win turned into a loss against Florida. The narrow 27-28 loss became the second time they have lost in such a fashion this year. And if the situation is bad for the host, then the Razorbacks are having it worse. Without a win in their last three games, the Razorbacks are having one of their worst starts in the program’s history. After losing their last game against the in-form Texas A&M, the Backs will be looking forward to salvage a season that is seemingly slipping away from them.

How To Bet The Razorbacks vs Volunteers NCAA Football Odds, TV & Game Info

Venue: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee Date: Saturday, October 3, 2015 Time: 7:00 PM ET TV: ESPN2 NCAAF Lines: Arkansas (+6.5), Tennessee (-6.5), OVER/UNDER 54.5

Keys to Tennessee Victory

To ensure that they do not witness another last-minute upset, the Volunteers will need Alvin Kamara, Jalen Hurd and other offensive pieces to step up in a big way. Besides a good first game and some good points against Western Carolina, Kamara is yet to truly show what he is made of, especially in big games. This will be his chance to break out. Considering the Backs are likely to focus on Hurd, as they often like matching up power running backs with big and tough defenders, Kamara should get a chance to shine. If Kamara can manage 12 to 15 carries for 120 to 150 yards, then it could be a big boost to Tennessee’s offense. The other guy that can do it for the Volunteers is the hugely overlooked Owen Williams. The fifth year senior stands out as one of the best players on the line of scrimmage and an outstanding defensive tackle. The Volunteers system of play is built on tempo. This could be broken if Arkansas capitalizes on ball-possession hence keeping Tennessee’s offense silent. This is where Williams will hugely have an impact as he can keep the Arkansas from retaining the ball. If he can push himself upfront and harass the Backs, the Volunteers will have a lighter game. Last but not least, QB Joshua Dobbs is quick and smart on his feet, but he will be going against a defense that kept Texas A&M to 65 yards rushing on 20 carries, something that means he must step up. Arkansas has the habit of keeping the ball away from the opponent reducing the opponent’s attacking chances. This means Dobbs will have to make the best of every single chance he gets, using his dual-threat skills to open up the Razorbacks.

Keys to Arkansas Victory

For a team that is ranked 60th nationally, averaging 183.3 yards per game on the ground is certainly commendable, but the results over their last few games means they need more than just mashing the opponent into the ground. The lengthy injury of senior running back Jonathan Williams will continue to be a concern, necessitating improvements from other areas as well. Preliminary, all eyes will be on junior Alex Collins to pick up the slack at RB. With more bodies behind him, this could work as the Razorback’s advantage, given the Volunteers do not look like a match up to a more tradition attack system like this one. Drew Morgan and Hunter Henry have also impressed this season, so the onus will also be on them to relieve pressure on QB Brandon Allen (1141 passing yards, 7 TDs and 3 interceptions) by offering viable offensive options in the attack. Above everything else, the Backs must be wary of the offensive strength in Tennessee, which means that blocking passing and running routes will be vital if Dobbs and his attacking unit is to be contained.

Arkansas vs Tennessee Key Betting Trends

• Tennessee is 4-1 ATS following a loss • Arkansas is 10-4 ATS against a team with a winning record • Tennessee 2-5 ATS against a team with a losing record. • Arkansas 4-1 ATS in its last five road games • Tennessee is 6-2 ATS in its last eight home games, • Arkansas 11-5 ATS in its last 16 games. • The home team has covered the point spread in 6 of the last 7 meetings between the two teams

My Expert Betting Pick and Game Prediction

The game looks like it will have just a few touchdowns as both teams will be out to limit the opponent’s chances of scoring. The hosts find themselves presented with a great chance to get the much-needed win, and so do the guests. If the Razorbacks can play the way they did against A&M without shooting themselves in the foot, then this will go their way. This is especially because they’ve shown great improvement and have a very efficient QB leading their offense. Even so, it won’t be a walk in park, given the way Tennessee has been equally impressive this season. Picks: Arkansas Wins and Covers the Spread, Total isn’t as high, but surges slightly above the OVER mark.