Appalachian State at Tennessee

Big things are expected from Tennessee this season, ranked in the top 20. And rightfully so, with 10 starters back on offense, eight on D. This was a powerful offense last season at 35.2 points per contest with great balance, over 198 yards rushing and passing per game. They return almost everybody, including senior QB Joshua Dobbs (15 TDs, five INTs) and junior RB Jalen Hurd (1,288 yards, 4.7 yards per carry). And the defense improved greatly allowing 21.2 ppg - #25 in the nation. Visiting Appalachian State is a good team, rolling through the Sun Belt in 2015. However, this is their toughest game of the year and they were overmatched when stepping up once last season, getting routed 41-10 at Clemson as a +18 dog, part of a 2-5 ATS run in non-conference games. Two years ago they opened at Michigan and lost 52-14 as a +26 dog. This is the third consecutive season Tennessee coach Butch Jones has opened against a good opponent from a Group of Five conference. In 2014 the Vols thoroughly dispatched (38-7) a Utah State team that finished 10-4. Last year, they rolled (59-30) over Bowling Green, the eventual MAC champion. The Volunteers are 7-3 ATS against the Sun Belt and the home crowd will help carry them to a big opening-day win. Play Tennessee.