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Tennessee vs. South Carolina prediction and game preview. Projecting who wins the SEC East matchup between the Volunteers and Gamecocks.

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Tennessee vs. South Carolina Game Preview

When: Saturday, October 29 – 7:15 p.m. ET
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, MO
TV Broadcast: ESPN2

Tennessee had a much-needed bye week after two straight losses, and will enter the final stretch of the season needing some help to get to the SEC Championship game. A number of key injuries have the Volunteers looking for young players to step up their game.

South Carolina showed some life on offense in the win against UMass on Saturday, as freshman quarterback Jake Bentley saw his first playing time and responded with 201 passing yards and two touchdowns in the 34-28 victory.

What To Know About Tennessee

The Volunteers were humiliated by Alabama in their last game, and must get some swagger back if they want to make a run at the SEC East title. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs threw for only 92 yards against the Crimson Tide, and will go against a South Carolina defense that allows only 183.6 yards per game through the air. Losing backup running back Alvin Kamara hurts, which means Jalen Hurd needs to get going as well.

The defense has been decimated with injuries, but still has plenty of talent to shut down a South Carolina offense that averages only 317.4 total yards per game, near the bottom of all FBS teams.

What to Know About South Carolina

Bentley brought some much-needed energy to the Gamecocks offense in the win against UMass, but the test will be much harder against the Volunteers. South Carolina hasn’t been able to run the ball all season, averaging a mere 106.86 yards per game. Tennessee will look to put the pressure on Bentley and make him beat them with his arm.

The defense has been solid, but giving up 28 points to UMass showed some chink in the armor. Keeping Dobbs from getting out of the pocket and beating them with his legs will be key for the Gamecocks.

Advantages

Offense: Tennessee. Dobbs and company need to respond after a no-show last outing.

Defense: Tie. The Gamecocks are decent enough to stop the Tennessee rushing attack.

Special Teams: Tie. Both kickers have been good on field goal attempts.

Coaching: Tennessee. Can Will Muschamp turn around the Gamecocks? I’m not so sure.

Intangibles: Tennessee. Coming off two straight losses, the Volunteers will be amped up and ready to play.

Matchup To Watch

Tennessee offensive line vs. South Carolina defense line

The Volunteers have been getting pushed around all season long in the trenches. Going up against a stingy secondary, they must be able to control the line of scrimmage.

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Betting Odds

Spread: Tennessee -13
Over/Under: No spread as of post

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Prediction

The Volunteers are hurting after two losses and have some key injuries. However, a bye week should have helped settle things down and get them ready for the second half of the season. Tennessee will come out with guns blazing, but the Gamecocks, with the help from the William-Brice crowd, will hang in there for a while. Dobbs won’t let Tennessee lose this one, though, and the Volunteers get back on track with a hard-fought road win.

Tennessee vs. South Carolina Score Prediction: Tennessee 31, South Carolina 20

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