South Carolina vs Tennessee point spread: Picking Gamecocks vs Volunteers

Ahead of the SEC East bash between Tennessee and South Carolina, On3’s Andy Staples sat down with longtime college football writer Ralph D. Russo to hash out what they expect from the rivalry matchup.

“This game always just is weird,” inferred Staples, noting that 2022’s result was the opposite of what you would have expected going into the game. “Last year, remember, Tennessee goes in riding high. South Carolina coming off the worst it could possibly look against Florida. And South Carolina blows Tennessee’s doors off. Hendon Hooker got hurt.”

Don’t worry Gamecock fans, because Staples asserts that the injury “didn’t even affect the outcome.” But despite that outcome last year, Russo said he likes the Volunteers to rebound and pickup the victory this season. Though, he’s not confident they’ll cover the current 12-point spread.

“I think Spencer Rattler will probably play another good game,” Russo said. “I’m gonna grab the points here, even though I think Tennessee wins this game like in that 25-24 range, you know, 35-27. Something along those lines. I think it’ll be a fun game. Good offense on both sides. But … I think that’s a fair amount of points.”

Even though he’s taking Tennessee to win, Russo admits that “Rattler has played pretty well” at quarterback for South Carolina and he’s also “not sure exactly what to make out of Tennessee yet.”

But if they do come out and take control vs. Carolina from the jump, then he’d feel a lot better about them.

“Listen, Tennessee changes the story if they come out here and they really handle South Carolina and put them away,” Russo said. “I think all of a sudden now, we start thinking, ‘Oh, maybe Florida was an anomaly and this is a really good Tennessee team.’ But I’ll grab them points, but think the Vols will probably win.”

Andy Staples then brought up and important point, discussing the injury situation with UT QB Joe Milton, who was hobbled at times in the win over UTSA last weekend.

“Joe Milton tweaked his knee against UTSA. Nico (Iamaleava) came in. Joe Milton came back. He had the brace on. I don’t know what Joe is gonna look like this week,” said Staples, who also needs to see it to believe it with Tennessee, especially as big favorites in a game they dropped a year ago.

“I’m fascinated by this whole Tennessee situation. The fans were so down on them after Florida game. They do need this. But 12.5 is a lot of points. I’m with you. I will take the points,” Staples continued. “Give me South Carolina to cover. I’m not confident enough to say South Carolina money line on this. But if you’re gonna give me that many points, with Tennessee just in a seemingly strange place right now, I feel good taking the points.”

Staples and Russo are on the same page expecting a closer game than Vegas does with Tennessee ultimately keeping those home fans happy in a narrow victory.