A double-digit spread
Welcome back to game week. Following an open date last weekend, Tennessee will be back in action at Arkansas on Saturday night. The Volunteers, now ranked No. 4 in the AP Poll, will be looking to move to 5-0 in what would be their second straight road win.
The oddsmakers are big believers. Tennessee opened as a 13.5 point favorite last week, and now that number has pushed out to 14. The total is set at 59.5.
Tennessee passed its first road test last week at Oklahoma. The Volunteers were suffocating once again on defense, forcing several mistakes and turnovers. The offense was good enough to control the game, and Josh Heupel took his foot off the gas as Tennessee cruised in the second half.
Arkansas is coming off of a tough 21-17 loss to Texas A&M in Dallas. The Razorbacks moved to 3-2 on the year as Sam Pittman tries to navigate his way off of the hot seat. The Arkansas offense, now once again led by Bobby Petrino at offensive coordinator, has gotten a spark this season from Boise State transfer quarterback Taylen Green. The Razorbacks have also leaned heavily on big-bodied back Ja’Quinden Jackson, who is well on his way to what appears to be a 1,000 yard season.
Tennessee’s top-ranked defense poses a big challenge for both Green and Jackson, however. Green has thrown five interceptions so far this season and he’s also been sacked three times in four straight games. Look for the Tennessee defensive front to keep that trend alive on Saturday night.
Kickoff between Tennessee and Arkansas is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.