The Tennessee Volunteers (2-2, 0-1 SEC) and Missouri Tigers (2-2, 0-1) battle in an SEC East contest Saturday at noon ET at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo. Below, we look at the Tennessee vs. Missouri odds and lines, and make our expert college football picks, predictions and bets.
Tennessee heads back on the road after losing 38-14 at Florida in its first road game of the fall. The 2-2 Volunteers are 0-3 against the spread versus FBS opponents; UT’s lone victory this year was a straight-up and ATS conquest against Tennessee Tech. Dating back to last season, the Vols are 1-4 SU across their last five road games outside the state of Tennessee.
The Tigers are coming off a 41-34 overtime loss at Boston College and are looking for their first win of the season against an FBS opponent. Missouri’s defense has been a problem area as the Tigers have coughed up 454.3 total yards per game; that average ranks 116th in the nation. On the other side of the ball, Mizzou has been solid with 483.0 total yards per game ranking 20th.
Tennessee at Missouri odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Thursday at 5 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Tennessee +122 (bet $100 to win $122) | Missouri -150 (bet $150 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Tennessee +2.5, +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Missouri -2.5, -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Over/Under (O/U): 64.5, O: -117 (bet $117 to win $100) | U: -103 (bet $103 to win $100)
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Tennessee at Missouri odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Tennessee 35, Missouri 24
Money line
Tennessee was a minus-3 in turnovers in its Sept. 11 loss to Pitt. The Vols led a talented Florida team 14-10 early in the second quarter of the eventual blowout loss in the swamp last week. QB Hendon Hooker took a hard hit in the loss to the Gators and is questionable for this game at Mizzou. Backup QB Joe Milton III started Games 1 and 2 for the Vols, so UT isn’t 100% reliant on Hooker.
The Volunteers won last year’s meeting 35-12. The victory was of the wire-to-wire fashion, and UT cranked out three scoring drives of 75-plus yards.
Look for the Vols to have at least sporadic success against this year’s porous Missouri defense. Tennessee has taken on the early money in this one and is worthy of some action in a game that figures to be close late. BACK THE VOLUNTEERS (+122).
Against the spread
Consider split action with the above play and the VOLUNTEERS +2.5 (+100). The latter serves as insurance for a 1- or 2- point loss.
Over/Under
Dating back to last season, the Under is 7-3 in UT’s last 10 games. The Under is 8-1 in the Volunteers’ last nine games as road underdogs.
Tennessee can run a bit, and Mizzou has been awful against the run (270.8 rushing yards per game allowed, 129th FBS). Clocking a late lead helps keep both teams perhaps under 31 points. TAKE THE UNDER 64.5 (-103).
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