As we look around at the spreads and totals across the Southeastern Conference at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook, we’ve got some great matchups this week.
Even the teams coming off losses have some fascinating storylines, including Alabama and Tennessee.
Alabama vs. Tennessee: Can the Vols Keep It Close?
That Alabama-Tennessee line keeps going up and up in favor of Alabama. We think it’s going to be double digits, possibly by the time the game kicks off on Saturday.
We did see a stat that Alabama has only allowed one fewer sack than Tennessee, which would surprise some people with all the issues Tennessee has had. They got sacked, what, 11 times or 10 times in one game against Texas?
But Alabama is only one behind, and Tennessee leads the nation in sacking the opponent by two. They’ve got 25 sacks, with LSU second at 23 sacks on the season.
Something to watch: Can Tennessee get to Keelon Russell and affect the game that way? Because Alabama has had a hard time keeping him upright this season as well.
Tennessee Needs to Open Up Its Passing Game
Tennessee just doesn’t have a passing game right now. They don’t have a coherent offense where you can feel good about one thing opening up the other in the game.
It’s just such a lopsided run game right now. If they’re going to be successful, they’ve got to find a way to open up the passing game.
We’re watching the All-22 and still shots of what Arkansas was doing to Tennessee in that game, and it was like, let’s put seven or eight guys in the box, man-to-man on the two receivers on the outside, and they had one safety 40 yards off the line of scrimmage. That’s how they picked off that one from George MacIntyre.
If Tennessee is not going to come up with something to throw, just launch it and get the ball over the middle of the field with all that open room, with everyone crowding the line of scrimmage, then they’re not going to move the ball.
They were very conservative on the road. Will they open things up at home? The game plan cannot be the same. They’re going to have to make some big plays.
Discipline Could Be a Major Factor
Another point: Tennessee has to keep its cool and be disciplined.
You see the difference between Georgia and Bama on the field in that game because one player loses his cool and costs Alabama a possession to go win the game. Tennessee can’t have those personal fouls.
We’re not saying they would, but Alabama will give you one, and if you get it at the right time, it’s huge in the game.
Penalties are always a factor with Josh Heupel teams, too. They typically commit a lot, but it’s a lot of procedural stuff, not getting set properly and things like that. That’s a big point.
Missouri vs. Ole Miss: Is the Spread Too High?
Missouri-Ole Miss is a fascinating matchup.
Ole Miss is a 5.5-point favorite at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook – would’ve thought this one was closer to 3.5. We’re not going to sleep on Missouri anymore.
It feels like Vegas doesn’t really believe in Missouri that much right now based on the Ole Miss line. And again, we think Missouri is proving everybody wrong.
Mississippi State vs. LSU: A Line Worth Watching
We love Mississippi State. We love Kamario Taylor. But there are questions about him even playing on Saturday.
We’re going to pounce on that number for LSU right now before it goes up when he’s officially not playing. LSU is going to go back to Baton Rouge and beat Mississippi State soundly in that game.
By the way, looking at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook right now, LSU is up to a 14.5-point favorite over Mississippi State – think that’s surrounding the news of Taylor.
LSU should respond a lot better than what we saw this past week.
Auburn vs. Georgia: Can the Tigers Cover?
Auburn and Georgia, that’s a big line.
Georgia is coming off that big win, and we’re tempted to take the Tigers to cover. They’re going to lose, but we don’t know that they get blown out by Georgia.
Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt: Commodores Favored at Home
Vandy is only a 6.5-point favorite at home against Arkansas at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook.
That kind of tells you a lot about where both of those programs are right now.
Kentucky vs. Oklahoma: Can the Wildcats Avoid a Letdown?
Kentucky is going on the road to Oklahoma.
Look, Kentucky’s a better football team than Oklahoma is right now, even though Oklahoma just beat Texas.
But Kentucky is also coming off that big win.
Are they going to be the next team that rides the emotional high of a big win to a big loss the following week?
It’s a great week across the league.
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