Tag Archives: Vegas

Tennessee opens as 4-point favorite at Kentucky

Tennessee runs through the T on Nov. 23, 2013, against Vanderbilt. (photos by Evan Woodbery)

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Tennessee has opened as a four-point favorite over Kentucky in offshore sports books.

The Vols (4-7, 1-6 SEC) and Wildcats (2-9, 0-7) will play their final game of the season on Saturday at Commonwealth Stadium (TV: ESPNU, 7 p.m.)

Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt 14-10 on Saturday to fall out of bowl contention and ensure the program’s fourth consecutive losing season.

In the Sagarin predictor ratings, which are sometimes frighteningly accurate, the Vols have a 5.19-point edge over Kentucky.

In early offshore lines, Tennessee a 3-point favorite over Vanderbilt

We’re waiting for Vegas books to weigh in, but Tennessee (4-6, 1-5 SEC) has opened offshore up as a 3-point favorite against Vanderbilt (6-4, 3-4). The teams meet Saturday at Neyland Stadium (TV: ESPN2, 7 p.m.)

The line means the game would essentially be even on a neutral site. We’ll see if the numbers change when Vegas opens a line later today.

When home-field advantage is factored in, Tennessee is a 2.5-point underdog in the newly updated Sagarin predictor ratings.

Vols a 7-point underdog at home against No. 7 Auburn

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — The seventh-ranked Auburn Tigers are a touchdown favorite over Tennessee this weekend.

The Vols (4-5, 1-4 SEC) play Auburn (8-1, 4-1) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium (TV: ESPN, noon).

Wynn Las Vegas stuck with the offshore line of 7 points, although we also saw 7.5 and 8 points at times.

In the Sagarin ratings, the rating scale gives Auburn a 9.84-point advantage on a neutral site and a 6.35-point edge at Tennessee.

A closer look at the 2nd half of Tennessee’s season: Can the Vols go 3-3, reach a bowl?


KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — At the midpoint of the season, now is a perfect time to reevaluate my preseason predictions.

Let’s see how I fared so far and determine if we need to tweak any of the predicted outcomes for the rest of the year.

At the risk of bragging, my August predictions have been pretty spot-on so far.

Aug. 31 vs. Austin Peay

Speculative line: UT by 45.

Actual line: UT by 49.

My prediction: UT, 45-7.

Actual score: UT, 45-0.

Sept. 7 vs. Western Kentucky

Speculative line: UT by 21.

Actual line: UT by 14.

My prediction: UT, 31-14.

Actual score: UT, 52-20.

Sept. 14  at Oregon

Oregon’s Autzen Stadium (photo by Evan Woodbery)

Speculative line: Oregon by 20.

Actual line: Oregon by 28.

My prediction: Oregon, 45-14

Actual score: Oregon, 59-14.

Sept. 21   @ Florida   

Speculative line: UF by 17.

Actual line: UF by 16.5

My prediction: Florida, 31-14.

Actual score: Florida, 31-17.

Sept. 28   vs. South Alabama

Speculative line: UT by 23.

Actual line: UT by 16.5.

My prediction: UT, 38-17

Actual score: UT, 31-24.

Oct. 5  vs. Georgia

The Vols lost in overtime to Georgia.

Speculative line: Georgia by 15

Actual line: Georgia by 13.5

My prediction: Georgia 35-28.

Actual score: Georgia 34-31, OT. (fixed earlier error)

(I’m using line information from VegasInsider, which may differ slightly from other sites. All lines are for informational/entertainment purposes ONLY.)

The rest of the schedule looks more difficult in some areas, but could be easier in others. South Carolina is difficult to figure, but still quite dangerous. Auburn and Missouri have exceeded expectations, although an injury to quarterback James Franklin could be devastating for Mizzou’s powerful offense. (Coach Gary Pinkel strongly disputed a report that Franklin would be out for the rest of the year).

What about the other James Franklin? Well, he and the Commodores are having a rough year, but the UT-Vandy meeting in Knoxville still promises to be an important and emotional meeting.

Here’s a look at the final six games, with both my August predictions and any changes I care to make.

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