KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Following a historic 52-49 victory over No. 3/1 Alabama, the Tennessee Volunteers climbed once again in both the Associated Press Top 25 and the USA TODAY AFCA Coaches Poll, rising to No. 3 in the AP and No. 4 in the coaches.
Tennessee (6-0, 3-0 SEC) coupled 15 first-place votes with its No 3-ranking in the AP, representing the first time since Sept. 12, 1999, that the Vols earned such votes. Tennessee’s No. 3 ranking is its highest in the AP since opening the 2005 season in the same spot.
The Vols are the only team in America with four victories over AP Top 25 teams at the time of the meeting. They are the first team in college football history to start a season 6-0, beat four AP Top 25 opponents ranked at the time of the meeting and score at least 30 points in the first six games of a single season.
Tennessee returns to Neyland Stadium next Saturday for Homecoming against UT Martin at noon ET on SEC Network. Tickets for the contest are available in limited quantities at AllVols.com. In addition, season tickets for the 2023 campaign are on sale now at AllVols.com.
The full AP Top 25, along with the AFCA Coaches Poll, can be found below.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Redshirt senior Chase McGrath kicked a 40-yard field goal as time expired to deliver No. 6/8 Tennessee an epic 52-49 victory over No. 3/1 Alabama in front of a capacity orange-out crowd of 101,915 at Neyland Stadium on a Tennessee Saturday night.
The Vols, who scored their most points ever in the 105-game series, improved to 6-0 overall and 3-0 in the SEC, securing their first triumph over the Crimson Tide since 2006. In surrendering the most points since giving up 54 to Sewanee in 1907, UA fell to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in league play.
Also of note, Tennessee has defeated four ranked teams for the first time in a regular season since 1998. That year, it took care of No. 17 Syracuse, No. 2 Florida, No. 7 Georgia and No. 10 Arkansas.
UT started its game-winning possession at its own 32 with 15 seconds left in the contest, and it seemed overtime was in the offing. With completions of 18 and 27 yards to senior Ramel Keyton and redshirt junior Bru McCoy, respectively, redshirt senior quarterback Hendon Hooker moved the Big Orange down the field expeditiously into field goal range and opened the door for a possible victory in regulation.
McGrath, who missed his first PAT in 98 attempts as a Vol earlier in the contest, came through in the clutch with the hopeful weight of Tennessee fans everywhere on his shoulders. As his kick cleared the crossbar, Big Orange waves of fans spilled out of the stands and covered Shields-Watkins Field as the strains of Rocky Top and Dixieland Delight provided a musical soundtrack to the joyous celebration that included the taking down of both goal posts.
In the win, junior wide receiver Jalin Hyatt enjoyed a school-record day, carding five receiving touchdowns. His scoring catches of 36, 11, 60, 78 and 13 yards enabled him to finish the day with a career-high 207 yards on six receptions. His five receiving touchdowns set a program record and tied the SEC single-game record. Hyatt’s five scores also tied the UT program record for total touchdowns in a game, which was established by Gene McEver on Dec. 7, 1929 vs. South Carolina.
Hooker turned in a 21-of-30 effort for a career high of 385 yards passing and a career-best-tying five scores. The Vol signal-caller also extended his streak of games with at least one touchdown pass to 18, tying Heath Shuler (10/17/92 to 1/1/94) for the school record.
After winning the pregame coin toss and deferring to the second half, Tennessee kicked off to the Crimson Tide. The Big Orange defense allowed one first down on the game-opening drive before forcing a punt that junior Dee Williams returned to the Vol 44.
Hooker quickly led UT down the field, connecting with McCoy and redshirt senior tight end Jacob Warren for passes of 11 and 12 yards, respectively, and carrying the ball himself for 20 yards to help set up junior running back Jabari Small for a one-yard touchdown plunge. McGrath’s point-after-touchdown kick made it 7-0 Tennessee with 10:18 to go in the opening stanza following the seven-play, 56-yard drive that required only one minute and 58 seconds.
Alabama needed just over two minutes to answer. Marching 71 yards in eight plays, the Crimson Tide capped the drive when running back Jahmyr Gibbs bounced outside around left end to score on an eight-yard run. Will Reichard’s point-after evened the score at seven with 7:59 to go in the first quarter.
The tie didn’t last long, as the Vols needed only five plays and 1:16 off the clock to retake the lead. After a third-and-eight pass interference infraction resulted in a 15-yard march-off and UT first down, the Vols got an 11-yard reception from Keyton and an 11-yard rush from sophomore running back Jaylen Wright before Hooker found a wide-open Hyatt streaking down the left seam for a 36-yard touchdown pass. McGrath’s PAT made it 14-7 Vols with 6:43 remaining in the first period.
Tennessee struck again less than three minutes later after forcing a short Bama punt. On play number four of a drive that started on the UA 35, the speedy Hyatt ran an underneath route that he snared in stride, racing 11 yards and slipping past Crimson Tide defenders to ease just inside the right pylon. McGrath was good on the PAT, and the home team’s lead grew to 21-7 with 3:59 still left in the first.
Alabama put points on the board on its next possession, but the Vol defense was able to keep the Tide out of the end zone. Bama settled for a 21-yard Reichard field goal that trimmed UT’s lead to 21-10 with 14:07 left in the second quarter.
UA finally forced Tennessee to punt early in the second frame, but Quandarrius Robinson tried to corral the ball and surrendered possession to UT sophomore Christian Charles. After a 31-yard Hooker to Keyton connection to the nine, tight end Princeton Fant lined up in the fullback spot two plays later and bulled his way into the end zone for a two-yard score. McGrath booted the extra point to make it 28-10 Vols with 11:41 to go in the second period.
Alabama navigated 84 yards to cut into Tennessee’s lead again with 6:46 left in the first half. Junior quarterback Bryce Young found a diving Ja’Corey Brooks for a seven-yard touchdown reception that capped a 10-play drive. Reichard nailed the PAT to make it 28-17.
After coming up with a stop on a fourth-and-six attempt by Tennessee at the Alabama 35, the Crimson Tide managed to work its way into another scoring opportunity. After UT’s defense stiffened, however, UA settled for a 43-yard Reichard field goal that made it 28-20 Vols with 36 seconds to go in the half.
Following a failed fourth-down conversion attempt by the Vols at the Alabama 41, the Crimson Tide turned that stop into points in just three snaps. A 26-yard Gibbs touchdown run and a two-point conversion pass from Young to Brooks knotted the score at 28 with 11:11 remaining in the third quarter.
Tennessee answered in less than a minute. After Small carried 12 yards for a first down on the drive’s second play, the Vols went deep on the next one. Hyatt separated from his defender and Hooker delivered a perfect ball for a 60-yard strike. McGrath’s PAT was off the mark, leaving UT with a 34-28 edge with 10:16 to go in the third frame.
Alabama countered with a 12-play, 75-yard drive to take its first lead. Gibbs hit pay-dirt for the third time on the day, carrying it in from a yard out. Reichard’s kick made it 35-34 Crimson Tide with 4:27 showing on the clock in the third.
After being pinned at their own six on a punt by Alabama, the Vols were undeterred. It took just three plays to ring up go-ahead points, culminated by another Hooker to Hyatt bomb. This time, the duo linked up for a 78-yard touchdown, and Hooker hit Fant for a two-point conversion to push Tennessee back into the lead by seven, 42-35, with 14:01 to go in the final period.
Alabama came right back, tying up the game at 42 with 8:38 left in the game. Young found tight end Cameron Latu for a one-yard scoring toss, and Reichard knocked home the extra point.
A penalty on the ensuing kickoff return once again left UT with starting field position at its own five. On third and three, a bad handoff exchange resulted in a fumble, and the Tide’s Dallas Turner was there to pick it up and carry it into the end zone. Reichard’s kick put Bama back on top, 49-42, with 7:49 remaining.
After an interception appeared to end a potential game-tying Vols’ drive, a pass inference penalty on Alabama gave the Big Orange new life. On the very next play, Hooker fired a laser to a slanting Hyatt for the duo’s fifth scoring connection of the contest. McGrath’s PAT evened the scored at 49 with 3:26 left in the game.
Alabama’s Reichard had a chance to hit a go-ahead field goal with 15 seconds to go, but the Tide kicker missed wide right. That opened the door for the game-winning drive for the Vols.
A first down toss of 18 yards from Hooker to Keyton moved the ball to the 50. Hooker then found a leaping McCoy across the middle for a 27-yard gain to the Alabama 23 with two seconds remaining. With the stage set, McGrath came on and sent the crowd into a field-rushing frenzy with a 40-yard game-ender.
The Vols are back at Neyland Stadium next Saturday, as they host the UT Homecoming Game at noon against UT Martin. SEC Network will have the broadcast.
99.1 The Sports Animal hosts Vince Ferrara and Josh Ward broke down Tennessee’s thrilling and memorable 52-49 win over Alabama Saturday night at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
99.1 The Sports Animal hosts Vince Ferrara and Josh Ward broke down Tennessee’s thrilling and memorable 52-49 win over Alabama Saturday night at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
When Alabama linebacker Dallas Turner scooped up a fumble exchange between Hendon Hooker and Jabari Small, you could almost hear a collective sigh at Neyland Stadium.
Oh no, not again!
No. 1 Alabama had just taken 49-42 lead over No. 6 Tennessee with 7:49 left in a thriller that would have made Michael Jackson proud.
The Vols had played brilliantly, surging to a 21-7 lead, slicing through the SEC’s No. 1 defense, making an occasional stop and going toe-to-toe with the perhaps the greatest dynasty college football has ever seen.
But just when the Vol Nation was euphoric at the thought of slaying the mighty Crimson Tide, Nick Saban’s team made a key play that would derail Tennessee’s efforts.
Or so it seemed.
Not so fast my friend, as Lee Corso might say.
This is a different Tennessee team with a different mindset and a different resolve and a different attitude.
Tennessee wasn’t going to let a potentially catastrophic game-winning play by Bama end its hopes.
The Vols marched 75 yards on 11 plays to tie the game with 3:26 left, then kicked a game-winning field as time expired after Alabama missed a 50-yarder with 15 seconds left.
Chase McGrath’s knuckle ball from 40 yards out barely cleared the crossbar, setting off the wildest celebration seen at Neyland Stadium since an epic win over Florida in 1998.
More than 100 security guards didn’t have a chance as fans stormed the field like a tidal wave.
They tore down the goal posts – pitching one set into the Tennessee River. Hugged each other like long lost relatives. Cried tears of joy. And smoked so many cigars, you couldn’t see the jumbotrons from the field, the smoke was so thick.
In arguably the greatest game in the greatest quarterback battle in Neyland history, Tennessee prevailed 52-49, ending a 15-year drought against Saban and the Tide.
The maestro behind this magical ride is Josh Heupel, hired from Central Florida in 2001 to turn around a program that was 3-7 in 2020 and in the midst of a serious NCAA investigation.
Heupel has made Tennessee relevant again with an up-tempo offense that destroyed the SEC’s top-ranked defense, an offense that leads the nation in total yards and averages 49 points per game.
And offense that is so good, Tennessee is now in the conversation for the College Football Playoff.
If this were the Academy Awards, UT’s win over Alabama would get best picture, Heupel best director, Hooker best actor and Jalin Hyatt best supporting actor.
Hooker, who has firmly planted himself near the top of the Heisman Trophy race, was 21 of 30 for 385 yards and five touchdowns.
Hyatt, who is looking more and more like a clone of Jerry Rice, caught six passes for 207 yards and a school-record five touchdowns.
Running back Jaylen Wright had 71 yards and Small 53 as the Vols rushed for 182 yards against the SEC’s top-ranked run defense.
Tennessee won this game by making plays usually reserved for Alabama.
The Vols racked up 567 total yards and seemed to have an answer for each Alabama run.
When Alabama tied the game at 28-28 all in the third quarter, Hooker hit Hyatt for a 60-yard score.
When Bama went ahead 35-34, Hooker hit Hyatt for a 78-yard score.
After Turner’s scoop and score, UT went 75 yards to knot it up.
And when Reichard missed a 50-yard field goal try near the end, Hooker had completions of 18 and 27 yards to set up McGrath’s game-winning kick.
Tennessee is now 6-0 for the first time since 1998.
It is the only team in the country with four wins over ranked opponents.
It will be ranked in the top four during the season (not preseason) for the first time since 2002.
And it is in position to challenge Georgia for East Division supremacy
This is indeed a different Tennessee team, one that has captured the imagination of the Vol Nation – and the nation at large.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – This year’s edition of “The Third Saturday in October” features a battle of undefeated teams for the first time since 1989 as No. 6/8 Tennessee plays host to No. 3/1 Alabama inside a sold-out Neyland Stadium.
Saturday will mark the sixth time in the series history that the Vols and Crimson Tide will meet as top-10 foes inside of Neyland Stadium.
BROADCAST INFO
Saturday’s contest will feature a national television broadcast on CBS with Brad Nessler (PxP), Gary Danielson (analyst) and Jenny Dell (sideline) on the call. Kickoff is slated for 3:39 p.m. ET.
Fans can listen to Tennessee’s official radio broadcast on the Vol Network (Local: WIVK-FM 107.7/WNML-FM 99.1) over 64 stations across the state of Tennessee and the southeast, SiriusXM and the SiriusXM app (Sirius Ch. 81) and the Varsity App. A live audio stream of the broadcast will also be available on UTSports.com and the Tennessee Athletics App.
Bob Kesling (PxP), Pat Ryan (analyst) and Brent Hubbs (analyst) will call the action, with Kasey Funderburg handling sideline duties. The Big Orange Countdown pregame show begins at 1:30 p.m. ET.
GAMEDAY INFO
For the most up-to-date information on Tennessee’s 2022 gameday policies, please visit the Tennessee Football Gameday Information page on UTSports.com. The gameday timeline as well as other important information is listed below.
ESPN College GameDay Pit Opens – 6:30 a.m. ESPN SportsCenter Live Shots Begin – 7:45 a.m. Swim & Dive vs. NC State – 9 a.m. (Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center) Marty & McGee – 9-10 a.m. (Thompson-Boling Area East Ramp) ESPN College GameDay Pregame Show – 9 a.m.-noon (Ayres Hall) SEC Nation Pregame Show – 10 a.m.-noon (Thompson-Boling Area East Ramp) UT Basketball Open Practices – Women at 10 a.m. / Men at 11:30 a.m. (Thompson-Boling Arena) Truly’s Tailgate Opens – 11:30 a.m. Vol Village Opens – 12:30 p.m.* *Will remain open throughout the game and feature a watch party for all fans without a ticket to the game Vol Walk – 1:20 p.m. Gates Open – 1:30 p.m. Pride of the Southland Band March – 1:50 p.m. (Pedestrian Bridge) CBS Pregame Show – 2:30-3:30 p.m. Pride of the Southland Band Pregame Performance – 3:25 p.m. National Anthem/Flyover – 3:28 p.m. CBS Broadcast Begins – 3:30 p.m. Vols Run Through the T – 3:36 p.m. Kickoff – 3:39 p.m.
TICKETS AND PARKING
Tickets and parking passes to all Tennessee Athletics events, including football, are now digital and can be accessed through a mobile device to improve security and reduce the risk of ticket fraud as well as make the process more convenient for fans.
Fans will gain admission into Neyland Stadium via a unique QR code which will be scanned directly from a mobile device. For quick and easy entry into Tennessee Athletics venues, fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app from the App Store (iPhone) and Google Play (Android).
Your mobile device is the ticket on gameday. All valid digital tickets will display a moving barcode or a hold near reader (tap-and-go) icon. PLEASE NOTE: SCREENSHOTS OF TICKETS WILL NOT SCAN AT THE GATE AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY!
Printed PDF tickets will no longer be issued or accepted for entry at any Tennessee Athletics venue.
The only authorized sources for tickets to Tennessee Athletics events are the Tennessee Athletics Ticket Office, AllVols.com, the venue box office where the athletic event is taking place and Ticketmaster.
TENNESSEE ATHLETICS APP Fans are encouraged to download the Tennessee Athletics app, which now houses the Coca-Cola GBO Zone, allowing fans to play trivia, take part in a light show and much more. Search “Tennessee Athletics” in the Apple or Google Play Store or use this link to download: http://utsports.com/app
GAMEDAY EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
Neyland Stadium Fan Experience Enhancements Fans can enjoy several enhancements to the gameday experience at Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field this fall, including new state-of-the-art videoboards above both end zones and the North End Zone Social Deck, among others.
For more information on all of the new stadium and gameday fan experience enhancements, click HERE.
Fireworks, Neyland Lights: The spectacular fireworks show that debuted last season during pregame and following UT touchdowns and victories returns in 2022. The dramatic LED light show is also back to accentuate in-game festivities.
Toyota Volunteer Village: Toyota Volunteer Village, located across from Circle Park, serves as the ideal spot to view the Vol Walk and the Pride of Southland Band march. Admission is free to all fans with or without a game ticket. Vol Village opens at 12:30 p.m. ET on Saturday and will remain open throughout the duration of the game as UT hosts a watch party outside the stadium. A large videoboard will be in place for fans to watch the game. Limited food and drink options, as well as restrooms (including restrooms in the Student Union), will be available for fans outside the stadium.
Vol Village will highlight a new artist or band each home game with a pregame concert series, providing Vol fans with the ultimate pregame atmosphere. The Desert City Ramblers will be the featured band for this Saturday’s game.
New this season will be a video wall for fans to check out other games around college football. A new food court, along with appearances by Smokey and the Spirit Squad are also new to Vol Village this season. Face painting and a zip line will be available on Saturday, as well.
Truly’s Tailgate: Located outside Gate 9, fans can stop by for food and drinks at Truly’s Tailgate. Fans may enter Truly’s prior to gates opening without having a ticket scanned. When gates open, fans will need to scan their ticket to enter Truly’s. New food options this season include Texas Roadhouse and Big Orange Bites.
Truly’s will open at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and remain open for the majority of the game, giving fans in the south concourse a variety of food, drinks, television entertainment and additional restroom options. Truly’s will close at the end of the third quarter.
College GameDay & SEC Nation Live from Rocky Top For the second time in four weeks, ESPN College GameDay will be in Knoxville to preview Saturday’s slate of games. College football’s most celebrated pregame show once again originates from the lawn at Ayres Hall from 9 a.m. to noon ET Saturday. This is College GameDay’s 11th all-time visit to the UT campus and only the second time the show has coincided with the Tennessee-Alabama rivalry (1995, live from Birmingham, Alabama).
SEC Network’s weekly, traveling pre-game show, SEC Nation Presented by Regions, adds to this weekend’s excitement around Neyland Stadium. With Tennessee’s gridiron cathedral serving as the backdrop, the show originates live from the east ramp of Thompson-Boling Arena Saturday from 10-noon ET. Laura Rutledge hosts the show—her sixth season in that role—and is joined by UT alum Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow for in-depth breakdowns of matchups and storylines throughout the SEC.
Marty & McGee Presented by Old Trapper also airs live Saturday from 9-10 a.m. ET, as Marty Smith and UT alum Ryan McGee meet at the intersection of southern lifestyle and college football to bring viewers the latest headlines across the SEC landscape.
For more info on College GameDay and SEC Nation’s trips to Rocky Top this week, click HERE.
High Stakes for The Third Saturday in October For the first time since Oct. 21, 1989, No. 6/8 Tennessee and No. 3/1 Alabama clash as unbeatens on the Third Saturday in October. It represents the 10th time that both teams are ranked in the top 10 at the time of the meeting and first since 2016. Tennessee is off to its first 5-0 start since 2016 and is ranked in the top 10 for a third straight week. It’s the first time two AP poll top-six ranked teams will meet in Neyland Stadium since Sept. 19, 1998, when the No. 6 Vols beat No. 2 Florida, 20-17, in overtime.
Racking Up Ranked Wins Tennessee is the only FBS program this season with three or more victories over AP Top 25 ranked teams at the time of meeting. The Vols are one of five teams in the nation with three wins vs. FBS opponents with a winning record, joining Houston, Notre Dame, UCLA and USC. Saturday marks the third consecutive game against a ranked team for the Vols and fourth in the past five contests. Head coach Josh Heupel owns a 4-4 record vs. ranked teams in his two seasons with the Vols.
Offense in No. 1 A year after setting a school record for points in a season and becoming the FBS’ most improved offense (No. 7, 39.3 ppg), Tennessee’s offense is still thriving. The Vols are averaging a nation-best 547.8 yards per game of total offense and are also No. 1 in and redzone offense (28-28). UT ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency (189.15) and scoring offense (46.8). UT has put up at least 30 points in a league-best eight straight games, a first since they did it in nine straight games in 1995. The Vols lead the SEC in six different offensive categories: total offense, scoring offense, passing efficiency, yards per completion, redzone offense and fewest interceptions.
Stuffing the Run, Winning Turnover Battle Tennessee’s defense has been one of the nation’s best at bottling up opposing rushing attacks this season, allowing just 89.2 yards per game on the ground, which ranks 11th nationally and second in the SEC. The Vols have also been opportunistic, forcing 10 turnovers through five games, which is tied for third in the conference. UT in tops in the SEC in turnover margin (+5) and has not lost the turnover battle in each of its last eight games.
Chasing Records Star quarterback Hendon Hooker has elevated his game to the next level this season and is in the midst of rewriting the Tennessee record books. The redshirt senior has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 17 straight games, which is second in UT history behind Heath Shuler’s record of 18 consecutive games from 1992-94. He has accounted for multiple touchdowns in 17 of his last 18 games entering Saturday’s showdown and has thrown at least one touchdown pass in every game he has started at UT (16).
Hooker has also continued his climb on UT’s career touchdown passes list, entering Saturday’s contest sixth on the list with 41 TD passes, 12 behind Joshua Dobbs (53) for fifth. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native carries a streak of 239 consecutive pass attempts without an interception into Saturday’s game against Alabama, which is already a program record and ranks fifth in SEC history.
SERIES HISTORY
Alabama leads series, 59-38-7 Tennessee is seeking its first win over Alabama since a 16-13 victory in 2006. A victory on Saturday would snap a 15-game skid to the Crimson Tide after winning 10 of the 12 meetings between the teams from 1995-2006.
ABOUT ALABAMA
The Crimson Tide, led by 16th-year head coach Nick Saban, enter Saturday’s game at 6-0 following a narrow 24-20 victory over Texas A&M in Tuscaloosa last weekend. Alabama ranks fifth nationally in scoring offense (44.3 ppg) and sixth in scoring defense (12.5 ppg).
Offensively, the Tide are led by 2021 Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Bryce Young. In five games this season, the junior from California has completed 90 of 134 pass attempts for 1,202 yards and 14 touchdowns to go along with 154 rushing yards and three more scores on the ground. Young did not play in last week’s contest against the Aggies after suffering a shoulder injury in UA’s win over Arkansas two weeks ago. If Young is unable to play on Saturday, redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe will likely make his second consecutive start. The Texas native is 28 for 46 passing for 262 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions this season. He is also a major threat with his legs, totaling 29 rushing attempts for 246 yards and a touchdown.
Georgia Tech transfer running back Jahmyr Gibbs leads the Tide’s ground attack with 64 carries for 532 yards and two touchdowns. His 8.3 yards per carry leads all SEC running backs. Gibbs is also a talented pass catcher with a team-high 22 receptions for 220 yards and three touchdowns. Wideouts Ja’Corey Brooks and Traeshon Holden are tied for the team lead with 223 receiving yards apiece and have combined for seven touchdowns through the air. In total, nine Alabama players have recorded a touchdown reception on the year.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide are led by do-it-all junior linebacker Will Anderson Jr., who leads the SEC with 10.0 tackles for loss and is second in the league with five sacks. Senior linebacker Henry To’oTo’o is the team’s leading tackler with 39 stops while sophomore corner Kool-Aid McKinstry leads the secondary with seven pass breakups.
Here’s a look at my Week 7 SEC football game predictions.
Check back on my “Vince’s View” blog page for future posts including weekly SEC football and NFL game predictions. Bookmark my blog page and check back often.
2022 Week 6 Straight-Up Record: 5-2 (71%) 2022 Week 6 Spread Record: 2-5 (29%) 2022 Season Straight-Up Record: 53-10 (84%) 2022 Season Spread Record: 35-28 (56%) 2021 Season Straight-Up Record: 92-34 (73%) 2021 Season Spread Record: 63-63 (50%)
THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER IN THE SEC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Auburn (3-3, 1-2 SEC) at #9 Ole Miss (6-0, 2-0 SEC) Series: AU leads, 35-10-0 Noon ET • ESPN Last: AU, 31-20 (2021 at Auburn) Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038) SiriusXM: 137/190 – 81/81 Line: Ole Miss -15 Pick vs. Spread: Ole Miss -15 Score Prediction: Ole Miss 35 Auburn 7
Arkansas (3-3, 1-3 SEC) at BYU (4-2) Series: First Meeting 3:30 p.m. ET • ESPN Provo, Utah • LaVell Edwards Stadium (63,725) SiriusXM: 121/192 Line: BYU -1 Pick vs. Spread: Arkansas +1 Score Prediction: Arkansas 31 BYU 27
#3 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) at #6 Tennessee (5-0, 2-0 SEC) Series: UA leads, 58-38-7 3:30 p.m. ET • CBS Last: UA, 52-24 (2021 at Tuscaloosa) Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915) SiriusXM: 111/191 – 81/81 Line: Alabama -8.5 Pick vs. Spread: Tennessee +8.5 Score Prediction: Tennessee 38 Alabama 35
Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-2 SEC) at #1 Georgia (6-0, 3-0 SEC) Series: UGA leads, 59-20-2 3:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network Last: UGA, 62-0 (2021 at Nashville) Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (92,746) SiriusXM: 158/201 – 137/190 Line: Georgia -37.5 Pick vs. Spread: Georgia -37.5 Score Prediction: Georgia 56 Vanderbilt 14
LSU (4-2, 2-1 SEC) at Florida (4-2, 1-2 SEC) Series: UF leads, 33-32-3 7 p.m. ET • ESPN Last: LSU, 49-42 (2021 at Baton Rouge) Gainesville, Fla. • Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) SiriusXM: 111/191 – 137/190 Line: Florida -2.5 Pick vs. Spread: LSU +2.5 Score Prediction: LSU 17 Florida 16
#16 Mississippi State (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at Kentucky (4-2, 1-2 SEC) Series: MSU leads, 25-24 7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network Last: MSU, 31-17 (2021 at Starkville) Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000) SiriusXM: 121/192 – 81/81 Line: Miss State -4 Pick vs. Spread: Miss State -4 Score Prediction: Miss State 28 Kentucky 23
Open Date: Missouri (2-4, 0-3 SEC); South Carolina (4-2, 1-2 SEC); Texas A&M (3-3, 1-2 SEC)
KNOXVILLE, TN – September 10, 2022 – Quarterback Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Acrisure Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
Here’s a look at my Week 7 SEC football game predictions.
Check back on my “Vince’s View” blog page for future posts including weekly SEC football and NFL game predictions. Bookmark my blog page and check back often.
2022 Week 6 Straight-Up Record: 5-2 (71%) 2022 Week 6 Spread Record: 2-5 (29%) 2022 Season Straight-Up Record: 53-10 (84%) 2022 Season Spread Record: 35-28 (56%) 2021 Season Straight-Up Record: 92-34 (73%) 2021 Season Spread Record: 63-63 (50%)
THIRD SATURDAY IN OCTOBER IN THE SEC
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15 Auburn (3-3, 1-2 SEC) at #9 Ole Miss (6-0, 2-0 SEC) Series: AU leads, 35-10-0 Noon ET • ESPN Last: AU, 31-20 (2021 at Auburn) Oxford, Miss. • Vaught-Hemingway Stadium (64,038) SiriusXM: 137/190 – 81/81 Line: Ole Miss -15 Pick vs. Spread: Ole Miss -15 Score Prediction: Ole Miss 35 Auburn 7
Arkansas (3-3, 1-3 SEC) at BYU (4-2) Series: First Meeting 3:30 p.m. ET • ESPN Provo, Utah • LaVell Edwards Stadium (63,725) SiriusXM: 121/192 Line: BYU -1 Pick vs. Spread: Arkansas +1 Score Prediction: Arkansas 31 BYU 27
#3 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) at #6 Tennessee (5-0, 2-0 SEC) Series: UA leads, 58-38-7 3:30 p.m. ET • CBS Last: UA, 52-24 (2021 at Tuscaloosa) Knoxville, Tenn. • Neyland Stadium (101,915) SiriusXM: 111/191 – 81/81 Line: Alabama -8.5 Pick vs. Spread: Tennessee +8.5 Score Prediction: Tennessee 38 Alabama 35
Vanderbilt (3-3, 0-2 SEC) at #1 Georgia (6-0, 3-0 SEC) Series: UGA leads, 59-20-2 3:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network Last: UGA, 62-0 (2021 at Nashville) Athens, Ga. • Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (92,746) SiriusXM: 158/201 – 137/190 Line: Georgia -37.5 Pick vs. Spread: Georgia -37.5 Score Prediction: Georgia 56 Vanderbilt 14
LSU (4-2, 2-1 SEC) at Florida (4-2, 1-2 SEC) Series: UF leads, 33-32-3 7 p.m. ET • ESPN Last: LSU, 49-42 (2021 at Baton Rouge) Gainesville, Fla. • Spurrier-Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium (88,548) SiriusXM: 111/191 – 137/190 Line: Florida -2.5 Pick vs. Spread: LSU +2.5 Score Prediction: LSU 17 Florida 16
#16 Mississippi State (5-1, 2-1 SEC) at Kentucky (4-2, 1-2 SEC) Series: MSU leads, 25-24 7:30 p.m. ET • SEC Network Last: MSU, 31-17 (2021 at Starkville) Lexington, Ky. • Kroger Field (61,000) SiriusXM: 121/192 – 81/81 Line: Miss State -4 Pick vs. Spread: Miss State -4 Score Prediction: Miss State 28 Kentucky 23
Open Date: Missouri (2-4, 0-3 SEC); South Carolina (4-2, 1-2 SEC); Texas A&M (3-3, 1-2 SEC)
KNOXVILLE, TN – September 10, 2022 – Quarterback Hendon Hooker #5 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the game between the Pittsburgh Panthers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Acrisure Stadium in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Andrew Ferguson/Tennessee Athletics
