In an overtime thriller, Tennessee is coming off a high-profile revenge win at Pitt. This week the NCAA Football betting lights will not be nearly as bright. The Vols will host the Akron Zips. Specifically, Akron is a bottom feeder from the Mid-American Conference. The matchup is a “paycheck game.” The Zips are paid a princely sum to serve as cannon fodder for the Vols. Previously, Ball State of the MAC fulfilled this role in week one. Tennessee sent the Cardinals home with enough money to fund their athletic department after a 59-10 blowout.
Akron Zips vs. Tennessee Volunteers NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, September 17, 2022, 7 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee |
| TV Coverage: | SEC Network+ and ESPN+ |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zips | +47½ (-110) | 65½ (-110) | – |  |
| Volunteers | -47½ (-110) | 65½ (-110) | – | |
| ||||
Akron Zips at Tennessee Volunteers SBG Odds Overview
Next week The Volunteers open SEC play against the Florida Gators. Thus, this is a tune-up game for Big Orange. In this offshore betting matchup, the betting window will be flooded for action on Tennessee. But the oddsmakers expect the rush and will post a high price on the Vols. Still, nobody wants to step into Big Orange with the Zips.
Akron Zips Team Overview
Last week, the Akron Zips suffered a 52-0 loss against the Michigan State Spartans as 34.5-point dogs. Akron has a record of 1-1 straight up, 0-2 against the spread, and 0-2 over/under the total.
Namely, Jalen Berger ran for 107 yards and three touchdowns. And Michigan State’s defense forced four fumbles to help the 14th-ranked Spartans. It was the largest margin of victory for Michigan State since beating Eastern Michigan by 59 points in 2014.
Akron starting quarterback DJ Irons was knocked out of the game with just over six minutes left in the first half. He was sent to a hospital with a lower-body injury. Moorhead did not have an update on Irons’ condition after the game. Irons left after completing 9 of 13 passes for 123 yards and running for 31 yards. To illuminate, the Zips could not move the ball much.
Tennessee Volunteers Team Overview
Last Saturday, the Tennessee Volunteers scored a 34-27 against the Pitt Panthers as 6-point favorites. Tennessee has a record of 2-0 straight up, 2-0 against the spread, and 1-1 over/under the total.
In 2021, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel and his Vols likely would not have found a way to win a mistake-filled. Especially in the second half, on the road, and against a program coming off a Power Five conference title. However, it is 2022 and not 2022. And the 24th-ranked Volunteers are growing up fast. The win at Pitt was a four-hour physical and emotional marathon that ended with Tennessee spilling onto the field in a mixture of joy and relief.
The Volunteers allowed a game-tying touchdown pass from Pitt backup quarterback Nick Patti with 2:23 to go. Still, they regrouped to win it on a 28-yard lob from Hendon Hooker to Cedric Tillman. Following a slow start, the Volunteers’ defense was relentless. It used a third-down sack and the final of perpetual quarterback pressures to force Patti to throw incomplete on fourth down to end it.
Meanwhile, Hooker finished with 325 yards passing and two touchdowns. And Tillman caught nine passes for 162 yards.
Akron Zips at Tennessee Volunteers SBG Free Picks
On this occasion, Tennessee will do just enough to get out with an NCAA Football Betting win and no injuries. The number is too big for this spot.
Akron at Tennessee SBG Best Bet: Akron Zips.