Texas vs. Tennessee prediction, odds, pick for SEC clash in Week 4

It is a Top 25 matchup in the SEC on Saturday as Texas hits the road for the first time when they visit Tennessee . It is time to continue the NCAA Football odds series with a Texas-Tennessee prediction and pick.

Texas comes into the game at 3-0. They opened the season against Texas State , and the offense was stellar. Arch Manning threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns in the 59-7 victory. They then faced off against Ohio State. Ohio State has a 23-3 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Arch Manning threw a touchdown pass while Hollywood Smothers ran in two touchdowns, including one with 25 seconds left in the game to take the 24-23 victory. Last week, the Longhorns faced off against UTSA. The Texas offense was sluggish in the game , as Manning completed just 50 percent of his passes in the 30-6 victory.

Meanwhile, Tennessee is also 3-0 on the season, but has not faced the same level of competition. They started the season with a 56-9 win over Furman. The Volunteers then hit the road for the first time, visiting Georgia Tech . Tennessee struggled early against Georgia Tech, down 10-7 at the end of the first quarter, but took off from there. The Volunteers scored 17 points in the second quarter, with the help of a Dejuan Lane pick-six. Tennessee would go on to win the game 45-24. Last week, the Volunteers hosted Kennesaw State, winning the game 42-9.

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This will be just the fourth time that Tennessee and Texas have faced off, and the first meeting since the 1969 Cotton Bowl. All three matchups have been in the Cotton Bowl, and Texas has won the last two games between the two.

Texas- EDGE Colin Simmons (Probable), TE Nick Townsend (Doubtful), CB Kobe Black (Probable), RB Derrek Cooper (Out)

Tennessee- RB DeSean Bishop (Probable), TE Ethan Davis (Out), DB Dylan Lewis (Questionable), DL Daevin Hobbs (Questionable), RB Javin Gordon (Questionable)

– Texas is 1-2 against the spread this year. They are 0-1 when favored by less than a touchdown.

– The under has hit in two of three games for Texas this year.

– Tennessee is also 1-2 against the spread this year and has not been an underdog.

– The Volunteers are 0-2 against the spread when at home this year.

– The under has hit in two of three games for Tennessee this year.

– The opening line was Texas -7, but has steadily moved down to -4.5.

For Texas, getting Arch Manning going and comfortable is going to be a major key to the game. Not only is this game on the road, but in front of over 100,000 fans at Neyland Stadium, where his uncle, Peyton Manning , was a star. The Volunteers' defense is giving up just 16.5 points per game and is stellar against the pass. Manning has completed 59 of 96 passes this year for 661 yards and seven touchdowns. He has been sacked four times while throwing two interceptions. Manning has not been running as much either, with just 21 attempts for 93 yards. He needs to find some explosive plays to Cam Coleman as well. Coleman has averaged over 16 yards per reception this year, while scoring four times.

On defense, Texas needs to slow down the running game of Tennessee, which begins with maintaining gap discipline on the option. The Volunteers have the number two running offense in the nation this year while Texas is 32nd against the run. The combination of DeSean Bishop and Daune Morris has been solid out of the backfield. Bishop has run for 286 yards with four scores, while Morris has 234 yards and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, quarterback Faizon Brandon has run for 137 yards and three touchdowns. If Texas can force Tennessee into more passing situations, they may be able to slow down the Tennessee attack.

Meanwhile, Tennessee needs a strong performance from Faizon Brandon. Brandon is a true freshman, and this will be the most difficult defense he has faced. He has completed 41 of 64 passes this year for 552 yards and six touchdowns. He has also run for 137 yards and three touchdowns. The quarterback has yet to throw an interception this year and has been great at keeping the ball out of danger. As long as he can avoid turnovers and not give Texas a short field, Brandon has the skill to keep Tennessee in the game.

On defense, Tennessee needs to force obvious passing situations. The running game for Texas has been solid with Hollywood Smothers and Raleek Brown . Smothers has run for 198 yards and two scores while Brown has run for 129 yards and two touchdowns. The duo has kept the offense ahead of the chains and out of clear passing downs. Further, it has helped Texas control the tempo of the game. They have been holding the ball for over 35 minutes per game so far this year. Further, Tennessee needs to also be careful on the play action to not allow big plays over the top to Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo .

College GameDay will be on site for the contest between Texas and Tennessee as one of the biggest matchups of the week. Both teams have high-tempo and quick-strike offensive units that can score in a hurry. Still, both teams have been great at stopping the run this year, and the Tennessee front seven has been solid at getting pressure even without blitzing. The line being under seven points provides a benefit for Texas, and this is a huge step up in competition for Tennessee. The combination of Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo is going to be difficult for the Tennessee secondary to stop. Texas is going to be able to fluster Faizon Brandon and take the home crowd out of the game early.

Final Texas vs. Tennessee Prediction and Pick: Texas -4.5 (-112) and Under 55.5 (-108)