College Football Betting Odds – Auburn Tigers vs. Tennessee Volunteers

Auburn Tigers (4-0 SU, 3-1ATS) at Tennessee Volunteers (2-2 SU, 2-2 ATS)

Saturday, October 3: 7:45 p.m.

Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN

Football Betting Odds: Tennessee -2 ½, Total Points 52

Here are some of the NCAA football betting trends as they relate to this matchup:

• Auburn: 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
• Auburn: The total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 games
• Auburn: Auburn is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games
• Tennessee: 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
• Tennessee: The total has gone UNDER in 12 of their last 15 games
• Tennessee: Tennessee is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games at home

It will be a battle of one of college football’s best offenses against one of its best defenses on Saturday night, when the Auburn Tigers go to Rocky Top to visit the Tennessee Volunteers.

For Auburn, what a difference a year makes. At this time in 2008, Tommy Tuberville was in the midst of an embarrassing 5-7 season that cost him his job. In came Gene Chizik, and with him offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn followed from Tulsa.

Needless to say, Malzahn may have been the best hire of the offseason, as he has Auburn’s offense looking nothing like the team that played on the Plains a year ago. They are currently ranked third in college football averaging 45 points a game, and also third in total yards at a staggering 526 per contest.

Embattled quarterback Chris Todd looks nothing like he did a year ago, when he threw five touchdowns and six interceptions, while splitting time with Kodi Burns. Instead, the senior from Kentucky has been phenomenal, with already 11 touchdowns and one interception and over 1000 yards passing, just a quarter of the way through the season.

As for Tennessee, while it hasn’t been quite as smooth of a transition under a first year head coach, this team is already looking better that it did a year ago under Phil Fulmer. The Volunteers are 2-2, and played No. 1 ranked Florida tough, before ultimately losing on the road to the Gators 23-13.

The strength for Tennessee comes in its defense, coached by legendary NFL coordinator Monte Kiffin. On the year, they are giving up just 18 points per game, and 233 yards of total offense, both amongst the top numbers in the country. But will they be able to do enough to slow down Auburn’s high-powered attack?

While we all know about Tennessee’s defense, they continue to struggle on offense. And if they are serious about winning Saturday, will need better production from that unit. While the running game is carrying this team, they still need better production from the passing game. On the year, senior Jonathan Crompton has completed just 57 percent of his passes, and while he’s thrown seven touchdowns, five were in a season opening victory over Western Kentucky.

Tennessee should be able to keep Auburn’s offense in check, by playing sound defense, and keeping the clock moving on the ground when they have the ball. However, it is hard to imagine them completing enough passes, and scoring enough points to win. Take the underdog Auburn getting 2 ½ points on the road.

Aaron’s Pick: Auburn +2 ½