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Both these teams come in with many starters back from last season's nine win teams, but both also will have new QB's. Tennessee has had a battle for the open slot following a successful run by Joshua Dobbs, who was also their leading rusher last season. Georgia Tech will likely have Matthew Jordan running the option and I like the work he's done to get prepped for it in the off-season. The rating differential between these two has Tennessee by 4-points, and this is a neutral field, or is it? It's in Atlanta. Give me the points with the Rambling Wreck.
Wish I'd jumped on this earlier, but I still think Tech is the right side. The Yellow Jackets are 5-1 in their last six games against SEC foes, and they're facing a Vols side that lost most of its big offensive weapons from a year ago. Georgia Tech's leading rusher was dismissed, but the team has a stable of backs capable of replacing him. Look for the Jackets to build on the momentum from last year's strong finish.
Tennessee had one of the worst run defenses among major-conference teams in the country last year, and the Volunteers don't look to have improved much in that regard. This is bad news against a Georgia Tech team that is noted for shredding opponents that are inexperienced against the triple option. The loss of leading rusher Dedrick Mills, who was dismissed form the team, is a blow for the Yellow Jackets. But I still like them to get the best of a Tennessee club that could be headed toward a down year.
This is going to be a really great game to open up the season. The Volunteers have 14 starters returning, but must replace a stud QB, RB, WR, DE, LB and DB. Georgia Tech returns 16 starters, doesn’t have to replace any players of significance, and also is bringing the triple option to the table. That's why I'm on the dog.