Tennessee vs. West Virginia: Preview, predictions, TV Schedule and more

Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s Week 1 game between the Tennessee Volunteers taking on the West Virginia Mountaineers. 

On Saturday, the No. 17 West Virginia Mountaineers travel to Charlotte, NC to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers in the Belk College Kickoff game.

Although Tennessee is coming off the worst season in program history, there is plenty of hype for 2018 with first-year Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt at the helm. Pruitt, the former Alabama defensive coordinator, will have his hands full Saturday, being tasked with slowing down this high powered Dana Holgorsen offense, which returns two preseason All-Americans in quarterback Will Grier and wide receiver David Sills.

Broadcast Details

Date: Sept 1, 2018
Start Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Charlotte, NC
Stadium: Bank of America Stadium
TV Info: CBS
Live Stream: CBSsports.com, FuboTV
Radio: LINK

Keys to Victory

Tennessee – If Tennessee is going to stay in the game and have a chance of coming away with a victory, they will have to control the clock. West Virginia is going to put up points, but limiting their possessions will be key. That will start with Tim Jordan or Ty Chandler or Madre London getting things going on the ground against a West Virginia defense that gave up 446 yards and 31.5 points per game in 2017. On top of that, Tennessee will have to find a way to get a few stops, which may prove to be a difficult task, against a loaded West Virginia offense that plans to light up scoreboards all season.

West Virginia – The key for the Mountaineers will be on the defensive side of the ball, specifically whether they can slow down the Tennessee ground attack. In the off-season, West Virginia added graduate transfers in DT Kenny Bigelow (USC) and DE Jabril Robinson (Clemson), but Tony Gibson’s 3-3-5 defense has always been prone to give up yards on the ground. However, West Virginia does return All-Big 12 LB David Long and an experienced secondary, so if Tennessee decides to shoot it out with West Virginia, it could very easily turn into a long afternoon for Tennessee and their fans.

Betting Odds

Points Spread: WVU -10
Money Line: WVU -375, TENN +320
O/U: 61.5

Prediction

I think the West Virginia offense is going to be too much for the Volunteers and Jeremy Pruitt to start the 2018 season. Expect to see Will Grier, along with a loaded WR group, having a field day with the Volunteer defense on Saturday.

Final Score: West Virginia 38, Tennessee 17