SEC Football Week 6 Best Bets: Vols on Upset Watch?

The college football season is beginning to creep into that territory of finding out who’s for real and who’s just in the midst of another rebuilding year. SEC Football has been known to be the most competitive conference in all of college football for years now and it doesn’t seem like that’s changing this season. Alabama (5-0) and Georgia (5-0) once again sit at the top 2 spots in the AP Top 25. Not too far below them lands #8 Tennessee (4-0) and #9 Ole Miss (5-0), featuring Lane Kiffin’s electric offense.

The beauty of this conference is not many team’s are an auto checkmark in the W column for anyone. With that being said, let’s take a look how key SEC Football matchups shape up in Week 6 and who could be on upset alert. (All odds courtesy of FanDuel) 

SEC Football Week 6 Best Bets

#8 Tennessee (4-0) vs. #25 LSU (4-1)

11 a.m. CT – (ESPN)

Tennessee -3 (-105)

LSU +3 (-115)

Baton Rouge had their ups and downs since Coach Orgeron’s departure, between fake accents and bowl games with no quarterback, the past power house Tigahs (Coach O voice) are salivating for a chance to get back on the map. Coach Brian Kelly is off to a solid start in Baton Rouge but is still in need of that W that reminds sports media why LSU cut him the check they did…

Before the bye week, the Tennessee Volunteers escaped a close one against the hungry Gators with a massive home victory. Unfortunately playing in Baton Rouge is much tougher than Neyland. To no surprise, Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is on Heisman watch. Hooker, still having not thrown his first interception, is completing 71.7% of his passes and has 11 touchdowns. USC transfer WR Bru McCoy and junior Jalin Hyatt have been huge targets for Hooker, tallying up 5 of Hooker’s touchdowns.

If LSU and Kelly want to deliver tiger country their first marquee W, it will have to be by the defenses powers. Second year coach Josh Heupel knows this and said, “The front four are big, physical, long, athletic and they have the ability to apply pressure to the quarterback and break the pocket down.” The vicious d-line led by BJ Ojulari (3.5 sacks) could make things tough for the Vols. While ASU transfer QB, Jayden Daniels has found his groove, the Tiger defense with 5 forced fumbles and 4 interceptions will need to wreak havoc.

FINAL Analysis and Prediction

The Vols have the advantage with their bye week to rest up between their Florida game and entering Louisiana. Going on the road to Baton Rouge as a 3 point favorite is risky business, but Josh Heupel is keen for his preparation and should have the Vols ready to go. As long as Offensive Coordinator Alex Golesh is able to scheme Hooker away from pressure and avoid blitzes with quick releases to the speedy WR corp, Tennessee will be taking the bus home 5-0. Jayden Daniels and his young offense won’t have enough firepower to keep up with NFL ready Hooker and Co..

It’ll be loud, it’ll be crazy but go with the Volunteers to get the win here at LSU.

#1 Alabama (5-0) vs. Texas A&M (3-2)

7 p.m. CT – (CBS)

Alabama -23.5 (-122)

Texas A&M +23.5 (+100)

Typically Nick Saban is one to take the high road. This past summer, that was not the case. With the recent NIL introduction to college football, power houses led by what seems like unlimited funding are able to offer players sponsorship deals, some consider it to be buying their transfers. What seems like two of the most well known coaches in college football history, even former coaching partners, Jimbo and Saban going at it about which of the two pays their players more is a bit silly considering they’re both guilty of this. Nature of the beast.

Almost a year ago to date, one of Texas A&M’s biggest wins in recent years, the Aggies shocked the world at College Station. After a young and inexperienced offense led by Zach Calzada went toe to toe with Alabama’s NFL ready O, the Aggies kicked a 28 yard field goal to seal the win. Alabama went into that game an 18 point favorite and left with an L.

Final Analysis and Prediction

There are three guarantees in life. Death, taxes and betting on a Nick Saban revenge game. That is this week. Despite Bryce Young being shaken up and questionable for this matchup, and despite a heavy 23.5 point spread in favor of the Tide, Texas A&M has their work cut out for them. Will Anderson and that Bama defense will make the Aggie offense look even more inept than it has in recent weeks, which seems impossible to do. Expect OC Bill O’Brien to run the score up as much as possible, regardless of who is under center. And possibly a Jahmyr Gibbs breakout game.

This one may be close to start but bet on Alabama making adjustments and remembering last year up until the last whistle in this one.