College football Week 6 odds, trends: Tennessee covering spread vs. LSU is taking by far most action of any side in nation

There are some terrific matchups around college football in Week 6, but arguably none better than No. 8 Tennessee at No. 25 LSU at noon ET on ESPN. The Volunteers haven't beaten the Tigers since 2005, but that's a bit misleading as the teams have played only four times since then (what's up with that SEC?) and not since 2017. UT is currently a 3-point favorite and taking both the most overall action and most money at Caesars Sportsbook of any team in the country Saturday – although it's not the most-wagered game. That would be TCU-Kansas, where ESPN College GameDay will be (UT-LSU is second).

After the Volunteers were first posted as 4-point road favorites, the line now stands at -3. Tennessee has wound up with 71.3% of the tickets.

"It's been really sharp action that's driven this line down," said Joey Feazel, lead college football trader at Caesars Sportsbook. "But that sharp action stopped as soon as we moved it to 3. Tennessee is one of those teams that the public is going to love. It's really them and Ole Miss that are in that second group behind Alabama and Georgia for the elite SEC teams. Hendon Hooker is right outside of that top tier in the Heisman race. If he has a big game, he's going up in the ranks especially if Bryce Young is out against Texas A&M."

The unbeaten Vols are averaging a nation-best 559.3 yards per game are first in passing offense (365.8 ypg). They are 22-for-22 in the red zone. UT ranks second in the nation in passing efficiency (196.30) and scoring offense (48.5) and third in completion percentage (73.8). Coach Josh Heupel's team has scored at least 30 points in an SEC-best seven straight games (includes non-conference games). Tennessee also has the advantage of coming off a bye week. Heupel owns a 6-1 record in games played after an open week (5-1 at UCF).

Hooker could become among the Heisman Trophy favorites (currently +1400) with another big game. The senior has thrown at least one touchdown pass in 16 straight games, second in school history. He has accounted for multiple touchdowns in 16 of his last 17 games.

According to 247Sports, LSU will still be without running Armoni Goodwin, who's dealing with a hamstring injury, as well as Major Burns and Sevyn Banks in the secondary. Quarterback Jayden Daniels suffered a knee injury last week that cost him most of the second half vs. Auburn but is expected to play.

As far No. 17 TCU at No. 19 Kansas in a matchup of surprising Big 12 unbeatens, also at noon, the Horned Frogs opened as 5-point favorites at Caesars and that line has climbed to -7. TCU is receiving the majority of the action to cover the number as it has taken in 62.1% of the tickets and 75.6% of the handle.

"I just think sharp bettors are not fully buying into Kansas just yet," said Feazel. "People do seem to be fading Kansas every week. The power ratings really haven't caught up for a team that usually wins very little that now has a 5-0 start, it's hard for the market to catch up. TCU has looked great too, they crushed Oklahoma last week. If TCU wins handedly, I don't think this necessarily bumps them up to Big 12 favorites, it depends on Oklahoma State looks against Texas Tech."

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