Tennessee at Pittsburgh Prediction for Week 2
Odds, best bets and analysis for this college football matchup
Matthew Horner - Sep 7, 2022, 6:22pm EDT
Tennessee Volunteers
Some people took Ball State to cover the massive +32 point spread that they had against this Tennessee team in Week 1, and some people lost, including me. I'll always be transparent when I lose, and this one was a certified ultra-mega loss. The Volunteers crushed the Cardinals with authority, and were up 38-0 at halftime in a game that wasn't even close at any point. I knew Ball State was probably going to lose by a large margin, but I thought maybe they could sneak just a 30-point L. Instead, it was a 49-point L and a 59-10 final score.
The offense is loaded with Hendon Hooker leading the charge, and the offensive line play should be much improved overall from 2021. They were outstanding last season in run blocking, but they didn't do enough to protect the QB when he dropped back to pass, giving up a ton of sacks and pressure. It wasn't an issue with Ball State, but it could be against a ridiculously good Pittsburgh front that will surly put their improvements to the test.
The secondary for Tennessee could be leaky, as it always seems to be, so you can expect Pittsburgh to fire away and take some deep shots down the field. The thing is, their secondary is just as leaky, and the question will be if they can keep up with the high-powered offense of the Vols.
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Pittsburgh Panthers
It was an extremely close game with the Mountaineers in Week 1, and this was a bet I got right by taking West Virginia +7.5. They actually led for a part of the game before Pitt made a late rally and took the win. All that matters is that we covered though, so I am happy. Th biggest thing that Pittsburgh will have going for them in this Week 2 contest against a better opponent is their defensive front, which is tops in the country.
The Panthers were No. 1 in the ACC against the run, second in the nation behind Oklahoma State in sacks, and was fifth in the country in tackles for loss. This is a defense that can virtually live in the backfield if opposing offenses aren't careful, and the Tennessee offensive line still isn't proven enough for me to think they can handle it without question. The secondary can get lit up by Hooker and the passing game, but only if the offensive line gives him enough time to go bombs away.
The Panthers might not have Kenny Pickett around on offense anymore, and Jordan Addison went to go catch passes at USC, but Trojan transfer Kedon Slovis can hold his own against a poor Tennessee secondary.
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Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee Prediction
This should be a good game between two competitive teams, and it also seems to be the type of game that the Vols always choke in. Not saying that is what will happen here, but they certainly need to be careful. Pittsburgh is no pushover, despite their overall performance against West Virginia.
Still, I think the Vols are just the better team, and Hooker should be able to do anything he wants to this Pittsburgh secondary. The offensive line should hold up enough to give him some time to beat them deep.
I'll take Tennessee -6.5.
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