Appalachian St at Tennessee – Preview and Prediction
TENNESSEE 20 APPALACHIAN ST (57.5)
Implied Projected Score: Tennessee 38.75 Appalachian St 18.75
MEGALOCKS LINE – Tennessee 20
The Game
Tennessee starts the season off with high hopes and a tilt vs a really good Sun Belt opponent in Appalachian St. The Mountaineers are going to field an excellent team this year and are coming off an 11-win season and their first ever bowl victory.
The Match-Up
Tennessee offense vs Appalachian St defense
Readers of our season previews know that we are really high on the Vols this season. Yes, we are drinking the Kool Aid. The offense has the potential to be devastating if they can just get a little more out of the passing game. In any event, Appalachian St has a very good Sun Belt defense but we do not think they will be able to do much to stop the Tennessee running game featuring the beast Jalen Hurd (1,288, 12 TD last year) who had over 400 yards rushing in his last three games of the 2015 campaign. QB Joshua Dobbs had 11 TDs rushing to go along with his 15 TD passes. The Volunteers should easily get into the 30s.
Appalachian St offense vs Tennessee defense
The Mountaineers have the key elements in place. QB Taylor Lamb is a very efficient QB, and of course, everything revolves around star RB Marcus Cox who is coming off a 1,400-yard season. We worry a bit about losing their top-two WRs from last season as well as their excellent center.
The Tennessee defense is stacked <sips Kool Aid>. The Mountaineers have a great running game but the Vols front seven is going to be very tough to run against, particularly without the threat of a lethal passing game.
Tasty Tidbits
The Volunteers are just 6-9 ATS as a home favorite under HC Butch Jones….They are also 7-3 L10 ATS vs the Sun Belt….so pick your poison….Tennessee has won their last three season openers (all Butch Jones) 45-0, 38-7 and 59-30 last season vs Bowling Green….The Vols return units are among the BEST in all of college football they had 5 return TDs last season……Vols have the Battle at Bristol with Virginia Tech on deck Sept 10….The Mountaineers played a similarly talented team last season and lost 41-10 to Clemson.
Summary
The point spread looks about right to us. Appalachian St is a very good team but the Vols are not really a good fade in this spot IMO. No opinion on the total although it may be a smidge high.
Conclusion
No official play.
Lean: No leanage.