Updated odds released for key Tennessee games exiting spring ball
Tennessee is rearing to go for the next football season, especially considering how the last one went on Rocky Top. Still, of all the games on their schedule, three stand out above the rest in Knoxville and, now, the Volunteers know where they stand before all three this fall.
Vegas recently released new, updated odds for a trio of key games for Tennessee . They made the Vols a touchdown favorite over Florida in The Swamp while also making them touchdown underdogs both in Tuscaloosa as well as at home against the defending champions.
The Volunteers finished 2-1 in these games a season ago which, considering all things, was more than good enough for the fanbase.
First, as an 11-point favorite at home, they knocked off the Gators and would have covered that spread too had it not been for a pair of late touchdowns in the last five minutes. After that was the highlight of Tennessee’s season as they won a classic 52-49 matchup over ‘Bama as nearly double-digit underdogs inside Neyland Stadium. That also announced to the college football world that the Vols were real as it moved them to 6-0 on the season.
Finally, to start November, Georgia gave Tennessee their first loss of the season in a top-five matchup down in Athens. While UT was ranked No. 1 coming in, the Bulldogs showed why they were double-digit favorites as they led for all but the opening moments of the contest.
In many ways, these three games define the football season in Knoxville. Josh Heupel could win these ones and lose the other nine and some of the fans would still take it amidst their disappointment. Still, Tennessee has their eyes set way higher as, regardless of the odds, they plan on sweeping those matchups come next season.
Finebaum is ‘very high’ on Tennessee, Heupel entering 2023
If one SEC team is on the rise? It’s the Tennessee Volunteers. Head coach Josh Heupel has his program ascending in the right direction. That’s especially true after capping off an 11-win season with an Orange Bowl victory over Clemson. Now, expectations will be even higher moving into the 2023 season as more will be wanted out of Heupel.
One of this thinking highly of Tennessee is ESPN’s Paul Finebaum. He said when talking to people on Rocky Top, there is confidence surrounding this upcoming season’s ball club. Depth seems to be a positive factor as well, even with some key names departing.
“My opinion is very high,” Finebaum said. “That’s just based on talking to people and not seeing very much. I think that’s all you can really do in spring. Coaches are smart. They know they have more to lose by playing players sometimes and running plays when they do. But I really think this is a much deeper program than it was even a year ago.”
