Tennessee favored by 4.5 over Pitt

[sjt18]

Yea maybe they stole that game but they still won against a much better opponent than we played they overcame adversity and came back and won with a new QB. We really have no idea what we have yet after our game. Here is what worries me going into the Pitt game that we are too much of a finesse and soft team I wasn’t particularly impressed with our run game and Oline blocking against a JV team basically. I’m worried that we will lose the line of scrimmage battle against Pitt and they are going to out tough us in the trenches. Hope I’m wrong though

My wife has a tendency to say it is "going to storm" so we need to get the vehicles in... if there's a 10% chance in the forecast. You seem like the same kind of person.

Hooker wasn't touched in the pocket. UT ran for around 200 yds and played one or two deep into the scout team.

If you're as old as me then you remember UF's "finesse" teams under Spurrier consistently blowing Fulmer's "physical" teams out. I've watched large portions of the Pitt game. WVU was more physical. Pitt couldn't run. They gave up 5 sacks. They had two late sacks but for most of the game couldn't get to the QB or stop the run.

You seem to be poo-pooing a 59-10 win over a lesser opponent while playing very conservative while being impressed with a stolen win over a mediocre team. You even assume that they'll be the more physical team although they weren't close to being the most physical team in their game.

You might say this is a point of difference between my wife and myself from time to time also.

 

[TucsonVol]

I expect us to be fine. Being favored is interesting but I still think we win this game. They say the biggest improvements are from week 1 to week 2 so we will see.

This game will speak volumes about our coaching staff!!!!

 

[sjt18]

Vegas favorites is more about their projections on where the betting will fall than any polls. Has nothing to do with polls. Its all about the money..

Which is generally speaking more accurate than pollsters who have no skin in the game.

 

[sjt18]

This game will speak volumes about our coaching staff!!!!

Agree. For the stargazers, this is an obvious win and the line should be a lot more. According to 247's roster talent composite, UT is A LOT more talented than Pitt.

For me, I try to look as objectively as I can at the two teams. UT is a much better offensive team than WVU. The unknown is on D but the fact that Pitt could not run with any kind of consistency is a good sign. They passed better than expected but do not have an elite WR like they did last year... or a Heisman level QB.

 

[sunnyvol79]

Agree. For the stargazers, this is an obvious win and the line should be a lot more. According to 247's roster talent composite, UT is A LOT more talented than Pitt.

For me, I try to look as objectively as I can at the two teams. UT is a much better offensive team than WVU. The unknown is on D but the fact that Pitt could not run with any kind of consistency is a good sign. They passed better than expected but do not have an elite WR like they did last year... or a Heisman level QB.

Your underestimating coaching though and Narduzzi is a hell of a coach and grossly underrated

 

[NighthawkVol]

Which, considering that Pitt is ranked and they are at home, shows the polls for the absolute buffoonery that they are

Betting lines are set based on how Vegas thinks people will bet. They’re trying to get even betting on both sides, so they set the line accordingly.

So their lines aren’t necessarily set based on who Vegas thinks will win and by how many, but by how Vegas thinks the average bettor perceives the game.

 

[BigALWiLson]

You're right. You just have to overlook some posters. They think we are good enough right now to beat the Rams in the Superbowl

Both of you act like we are dirt poor when not a single football fact support your claims that we are horrible and dont belong on the field with Pitt. You act like they are some juggernaut... News glash yeah they won a sh1t conference last season. The reason they did so are gone. They did bot look good agaisnt a bad WV team, they were not convincing by anymeans. We are not where we need to be but is anyone after game 1? We need improvement in a couple areas and we are much further than the team that should have put away a better Pitt Team in Neyland in the first qtr last season.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Pitt is playing at home for one and ranked. They are coming off a 11 win season and ACC title. Why shouldn’t they be favored? They usually give the home team 3 points and this is a toss up. I’m really surprised that we are favored not saying we won’t win but this is going to be a very tough game to win. And Pitt being a underdog will give them motivation I don’t like that. I would prefer us in the underdog role.

 

[The Original Fade]

My wife has a tendency to say it is "going to storm" so we need to get the vehicles in... if there's a 10% chance in the forecast. You seem like the same kind of person.

Hooker wasn't touched in the pocket. UT ran for around 200 yds and played one or two deep into the scout team.

If you're as old as me then you remember UF's "finesse" teams under Spurrier consistently blowing Fulmer's "physical" teams out. I've watched large portions of the Pitt game. WVU was more physical. Pitt couldn't run. They gave up 5 sacks. They had two late sacks but for most of the game couldn't get to the QB or stop the run.

You seem to be poo-pooing a 59-10 win over a lesser opponent while playing very conservative while being impressed with a stolen win over a mediocre team. You even assume that they'll be the more physical team although they weren't close to being the most physical team in their game.

You might say this is a point of difference between my wife and myself from time to time also.

Good post and I agree. I think we win by 10+

 

[sunnyvol79]

We have traditionally played better as underdogs in games like these.

 

[LWSVOL]

Which is generally speaking more accurate than pollsters who have no skin in the game.

But when the line continues to shift, sometimes as much as 3-5 points, how accurate is it? A team can go from a 3 point favorite to a 2 point underdog before kickoff?

IMO, the game is a toss up. But I'm no handicapper...

 

[TexasVolfan1]

We have traditionally played better as underdogs in games like these.

If the players need to be underdogs to get motivated for a game this big then we have obvious culture problems. I think the team couldn’t care less who’s favored, the loss last year is a much bigger motivator IMO.

 

[Jaxon_Vol2017]

But I was told by the nega vols that winning by 49 wasn’t enough to take on Pittsburgh?

Why are you always so over dramatic? No one has said that. Just because people are concerned doesn't make us negative. Smh

 

[VolFreakJosh]

Why are you always so over dramatic? No one has said that. Just because people are concerned doesn't make us negative. Smh

I just like pissing you off

 

[66volfan]

Tennessee is better than last year. Pitt isn’t. I refuse to bet on Tennessee games but if I did I’d load up on this game. 4.5 seems like an insult to me. I wouldn’t take Pitt if I was getting 14.5

 

[VolMarine1371]

go back and look at the stupid polls that had us ranked outside the top twenty-five. Some of us got it right and the current line supports that fact. I, for one, said we would not be underdog to several teams ranked above us. (although lots of folks did not take us seriously) I also said, and still think, we will know what we got about half way through the second quarter against Pitt.

Calling it now, Vols will be 5-0 going into the Alabama game.

 

[VolMarine1371]

Pitt should be favored

The Vols win 42-23.

 

[Illinoisvolfan2]

I’m surprised actually. I expected Pitt to be favored.
We better bring our A game next week

 

[BreatheUT]

But I was told by the nega vols that winning by 49 wasn’t enough to take on Pittsburgh?

We could've won by 70 but basically let off the gas early in the 3rd.

 

[ButchPlz]

Like @sjt18 said Pitt was largely outplayed by what is likely going to be a 4-5 win WVU team. WVU is real bad. I'm way less worried about this one than I was, and anyone saying Pitt out-physical'd WVU is a goofball.

 

[Manchester Vol]

No way! Pitt will blast us. Our defense can't cover the middle of the field or get off blocks.

Can we forfeit and save the embarrassment?

 

[delvol]

I expect us to be fine. Being favored is interesting but I still think we win this game. They say the biggest improvements are from week 1 to week 2 so we will see.

We owe them one from last year.

 

[wrangler]

Betting lines are set based on how Vegas thinks people will bet. They’re trying to get even betting on both sides, so they set the line accordingly.

So their lines aren’t necessarily set based on who Vegas thinks will win and by how many, but by how Vegas thinks the average bettor perceives the game.

Until the money comes in. Then it adjusts, based on who the bets favor.

 

[TrippieRedd]

I think it will be a sloppy game, I think their defense will cause fits for a bit, but we pull away. 35-14.

Top 25 after this weekend.

 

[Gandalf]

The Vols win 42-23.

I think its a lot more likely to be along the lines of Vols win 65-43. They can't stop our offense and I am hoping our D can do enough to slow theirs down, at least compared to ours.