Rocky Top Haskew plays a little banjo before every number. Beau Cheraw times everything to dramatic music, including breakfast. And the last time Tennessee came to Columbia, in 2022, South Carolina hung 63 on the No. 5 Vols. Beau still has the soundtrack.
No. 11 Tennessee (6-1) at South Carolina (3-3), Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN at Williams-Brice Stadium. It's an SEC game, and the State Fair is in town. DraftKings has Tennessee Volunteers −1.5 with a total of 50.5. My card: Tennessee Volunteers −1.5, Over 50.5, and a final of Tennessee Volunteers 28, South Carolina Gamecocks 26.
Rocky Top speaks for Tennessee, a former Vols long snapper. "Plink-a-plink. DeSean Bishop has 837 yards and 10 touchdowns. He ran for 159 against Alabama, and we had a fourth-quarter drive that took nine minutes and 32 seconds. As a long snapper, I respect a drive you can set your watch to."
Beau speaks for South Carolina. "Lights down. Spotlight. LaNorris Sellers threw for 279 yards and four touchdowns at Florida and ran for another. We run for 232.3 yards a game, 10th in FBS. And Coach Beamer says everybody who missed the Florida game is expected back. Cue the Sandstorm."
Why Tennessee? The Vols allow 14.7 points a game, ninth in FBS, and have 29 sacks, with Tyree Weathersby at 6.5. Tennessee's pass defense ranks eighth, which matters against Sellers. And the Vols just beat Alabama 26-10. My final has Tennessee by two, which clears 1.5.
The caveat: Tennessee's quarterback spot is a work in progress. Faizon Brandon leads with 697 passing yards, and George MacIntyre started against Alabama. South Carolina had a bye to get healthy, and Beamer did say one player, QuaySheed Scott, was the one he was most concerned about. Watch the SEC report.
Why the Over? South Carolina gains 474.7 yards a game, 13th in FBS. Its red-zone defense lets opponents score on 93.8% of trips, 122nd, so when Tennessee gets close, Tennessee scores. My 28-26 adds up to 54, three and a half over 50.5.
Now the room, and three voices call the Over. The Formula has Tennessee 30-26 and likes the Over. Letdown Watch has Tennessee 29-26 and likes the Over too. In The Trenches sits this one out. Next Man Up has Tennessee 29-28, a one-point game, so it takes South Carolina +1.5 and the Over. Follow The Money likes the Gamecocks and the Under.
Next Man Up opened: "Twenty-nine to 28. Rested home team, everybody healthy, Sandstorm playing. I'll take the point and a half."
The Formula answered: "I've got Tennessee at 30. I just don't have South Carolina scoring 28 on a defense that allows 14.7 a game."
Follow The Money chimed in: "The Gamecocks and the Under. Bishop eats clock. Nine minutes and 32 seconds, remember?"
Letdown Watch laughed: "And then Beau cues the music and South Carolina scores in two plays. Over."
Bottom of the card: the better defense, the hot running back, and a big-play home offense that can trade scores. Plink-a-plink, Rocky Top. I'll lay the 1.5.
Tennessee Volunteers 28, South Carolina Gamecocks 26. Tennessee Volunteers cover the 1.5. Over 50.5.