The Bowling Green Falcons meet the Tennessee Volunteers Thursday in the season opener for both teams at Neyland Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bowling Green at Tennessee odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
The Falcons lost all five games last season in a COVID-shortened season, and each of the losses were by at least 25 points. The last time the Falcons faced a Power 5 team was Oct. 5, 2019, a 52-0 loss at Notre Dame. Prior to that, they lost 52-0 at Kansas State Sept. 7, 2019.
Finishing 3-7 last season and dealing with an in-house investigation into alleged recruiting improprieties, a change was needed at Tennessee. In the offseason, the Vols tapped Josh Heupel as the new head coach, replacing Jeremy Pruitt.
Bowling Green at Tennessee odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:48 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Bowling Green +1500 (bet $100 to win $1,500) | Tennessee -10000 (bet $10,000 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Bowling Green +35.5 (-120) | Tennessee -35.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 60.5 (O: -112 | U: -108)
PLAY: Free, daily sports pick’em contests. Play now!
Bowling Green at Tennessee odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 45, Bowling Green 13
Money line
Tennessee (-10000) will net you a profit of $1 for every $100 spent if it wins. If you have those kind of guts to wager so much for so little on a team which was 3-7 last season, you’re a lot tougher than me.
AVOID and look to the spread instead.
Against the spread
BOWLING GREEN +35.5 (-120) is worth a small play. I’m just a bit concerned about backing a team that lost all five of its games by 25 or more points a season ago. However, it’s also difficult to back Tennessee, which has a history of sluggish starts in recent seasons. Getting seven-plus touchdowns (35.5 points) is just a lot points.
Over/Under
The UNDER 60.5 (-108) is the lean in this opener. Bowling Green’s offense really struggled in 2020. Things aren’t expected to be much better for the Falcons in 2021. While the Vols have new faces under center in starting QB Joe Milton and backup QB Hendon Hooker, it might take a while for the new quarterbacks to get going in their new system.
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com. Please gamble responsibly.
Follow Joe Williams on Twitter. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter and like us on Facebook.
College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:
Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Florida / Georgia / LSU / Michigan / Michigan State / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / USC / Wisconsin / College Football News
Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services. Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage. This information is for entertainment purposes only. We make no representations or warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any content.
[lawrence-newsletter]
[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1622]