Opening line released for Tennessee vs. Missouri

The 5-5 Tennessee Volunteers will be back in action next Saturday afternoon in Columbia, Missouri, facing the Missouri Tigers. The Volunteers can clinch their first bowl bid since 2016 with a victory over Barry Odom’s Tigers.

Missouri’s season has seemingly fallen apart after a 5-1 start. Four consecutive losses have brought their season back down to earth. Now they need a win in one of their next two to go to a bowl game. The Tigers end with Tennessee and Arkansas.

One positive development for Missouri was getting quarterback Kelly Bryant back yesterday against Florida. His presence wasn’t enough for a Missouri win though as the Tigers fell to the Gators 23-6.

Next week’s game is an important one for both sides, but Vegas sees a clear favorite. Per the Action Network, Missouri is a four point favorite heading into the week — a curious line that is no doubt impacted by the return of Bryant.

Tennessee has won three and a row and four out of five. Since their first bye week, the Vols have been a different team, even playing competitively with Alabama. That surprising turn to the season turned Jeremy Pruitt’s program around, which now has some real momentum rolling at the end of year two.

The possibility of seven wins is still on the table, along with a Florida bowl game. Fresh off of a bye week, we’ll see if they can keep up the momentum.

Tennessee and Missouri will kickoff at 7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network.