Looking to build off their end of season success from a year ago the Tennesse Volunteers open up 2020 with a road game against the South Carolina Gamecocks.
The 2019 season for the Tennessee Volunteers got off to a horrendous start with the Vols starting 2-5, including a season-opening loss to Georgia State. Now in all fairness, three of those five losses were to Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, three of the four top teams in the conference from a year ago. But Tennessee turned things around, winning six straight games, including a bowl win over Indiana, and finished the season with an 8-5 record. And with their late-season success, some think that the Vols might be a dark horse this season.
Personally, I think they are still a year away as the teams they defeated last season do not exactly scream elite. But maybe the momentum is just what Tennessee needed. The Vols offense will be anchored by one of the best offensive lines in the country, and if they can have more consistent play at the quarterback position, should be just putting points on the board. Defensively, they have a major void to fill on each line of the defense but return the majority of their defense from a year ago that was the primary reason for their current six-game win streak.
The South Carolina Gamecocks are a wild card. They started off the 2010s with three straight 11-2 seasons from 2011 to 2013 but ended the rest of the decade with a 36-40 record. Head coach Will Muschamp might have one of the hottest seats in college football this year and if they cannot put together a strong season with some a win or two over some of the conference’s powerhouses, he will on his way out by season’s end.
Offensively, they have the right guy calling the plays in Mike Bobo but have plenty of questions that we will get the answers to in week one. Can the stay healthy at quarterback? Who will take lead at the running back position? And who will step up at receiver as three of the top four receivers from 2019 are gone? The defense for the Gamecocks will be their strength and keep them in most of their games. They have a talented secondary and a strong defensive line that should pair well with each other in forcing turnovers.
The Volunteers want to prove that they are the real deal, and although it’s not Alabama, a win over South Carolina would go a long way in starting that argument. But the Muschamp and the Gamecocks are in desperate need of a win like this, but can they pull it off?
Here’s how to watch and bet on the Tennessee vs. South Carolina game.
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
- Start Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Columbia, South Carolina
- Stadium: Williams-Brice Stadium
- TV Info: SECN
- Odds: Tennessee -3.5, O/U 43.5
- Live Stream: WatchESPN
Prediction: Again, I think Tennessee is still a year away and will have some struggles shaking off the rust to start the 2020 season. The Volunteers are going to be in for a fight and will have to earn their first victory. While both offenses will struggle and have drives that stall out, both defenses will be on full display. The Volunteers’ defense is the difference maker as they force a late turnover to set up Tennessee’s game-winning field goal. Vols narrowly escape with the W.
Score: Tennessee 27, South Carolina 24
For more NCAA football news, analysis, opinion, and unique coverage by FanSided, including Heisman Trophy and College Football Playoff rankings, be sure to bookmark these pages.