The surging Tennessee Volunteers face their first SEC road test of the 2022 college football season Saturday when they face the rebuilding LSU Tigers in a matchup of ranked teams that will have a strong bearing on the conference title picture. Kickoff is set for noon ET from Tiger Stadium. The No. 8-ranked Volunteers (4-0, 1-0) are powered by a versatile offense that is averaging 48.5 points per game. But they are bound to face a stiff litmus test from the stout defense of the No. 25-ranked Tigers (4-1, 2-0) who are allowing just 14.8 points per contest. LSU won its SEC home opener 31-16 over Mississippi State three weeks ago.
The Volunteers are 2.5-point favorites and the over/under for total points scored is 64.5 in the latest Tennessee vs. LSU odds from Caesars Sportsbook. Before making any LSU vs. Tennessee picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's advanced computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of more than $3,100 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Tennessee vs. LSU and just locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several college football odds and betting lines for LSU vs. Tennessee:
- Tennessee vs. LSU point spread: Tennessee -2.5
- Tennessee vs. LSU over-under total: 64.5 points
- Tennessee vs. LSU money line: Tennessee -145, LSU +122
- UT: The road team is 6-0-2 in the past eight meetings in this rivalry.
- LSU: The Tigers are 18-6 ATS in their last 24 games following an ATS loss.
- Tennessee vs. LSU picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Tennessee can cover
After years of tumult and instability, the Volunteers appear to have finally found the right leader in second-year coach Josh Heupel, who led Oklahoma to a national title as the quarterback of the Sooners in 2001.
In his first season, Heupel led the Volunteers to a 7-6 record and a berth in the Music City Bowl, where they lost 48-45 to Purdue in a memorable shootout. Now, they are 4-0 and have achieved their highest ranking in 16 years and are in contention for their first SEC East title in 15 years. In response, the program sought to secure the program's future by giving Heupel a contract extension and $1 million annual raise, while also raising the salaries of his assistant coaches.
With a win over LSU on Saturday, Huepel would become the first Tennessee coach to win three road games against ranked opponents within his first 18 games with the program since Phillip Fulmer, who is the last coach to lead Tennessee to the SEC title game.
Why LSU can cover
Although the play of the Tigers has been uneven at times in their first year under Kelly, one thing they have consistently shown is resilience. This was apparent in their season opener when they twice fought back from 14-point deficits against Florida State. Three weeks ago, they overcame an early 13-0 deficit in their home opener against Mississippi State to prevail 31-16.
But last week's performance against Auburn is one that Kelly said he believes could galvanize the club for the rest of the season. The Tigers came out looking flat and unprepared and they allowed a 53-yard touchdown pass on Auburn's first drive and numerous other big plays. However, just as it appeared a desperate Auburn club might pull away, LSU showed resolve and worked its way back into the game.
Jay Ward returned a fumble 23 yards to get LSU on the scoreboard before quarterback Jayden Daniels led a 77-yard drive before halftime, capped by his 1-yard touchdown run, to make the deficit 17-14 at the break. Senior safety Greg Brooks Jr. ultimately sealed the win with an interception on Auburn's final drive.
"As I told our guys, that's a culture win, that's a program win, where you're doing things the right way to win a game like that," Kelly told the media afterward.
How to make LSU vs. Tennessee picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Under on the total, projecting the teams to combine for 57 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's CFB picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Tennessee vs. LSU? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.
