Vanderbilt at Tennessee

This is a heated rivalry, but more for one side than the other. Vanderbilt is more passionate about this game than is Tennessee. The Vols have long been the better program. And again this year they are the superior team. But, game boils down to a Bowl game for Vandy. They are at 5-5 and could catch Tennessee on the look-ahead to Kentucky. The Commodores have covered three of four as a double digit dog in this one since 1997. Vandy has been competitive enough all season to cover this spread, except against Auburn and Florida. Tennessee isn't in that class. This will be the most points Tennessee has givin all season. Vanderbilt has a good defense, ranked #24 overall. Remember that Tennessee scored just 20 against a Florida defense rated #20 and just 17 vs. an Alabama defense rated #17. This Vandy defense is 24th and right in line with those two. Tennessee has met six teams with a defense rated #53 or higher, having averaged 27.7 ppg in these games compared to the 34.3 ppg they average on the season. It is asking a lot to be giving two scores in a game like this. Vanderbilt has an 8-1 ATS record in their last nine as a road dog of 10.5+ while Tennessee has been 4-9 in their last 13 as a home chalk of 10.5 or more. This is a Vandy team that won at SC, so they are certainly capable of being competitive in this spot. We expect them to stay inside this lofty number.