Tennessee Volunteers(0-0) vs. California Golden Bears (0-0) -6, O/U 53.5, 8:00 p.m. Eastern Saturday, September 1, 2007 on ABC.
by Jerald of Predictem.com
The Tennessee Volunteers come into this game with 7 returning offensive starters and 5 returning defensive starters from the 2006 team that went 9-4 and lost to Penn State 20-10 in the Outback Bowl.
The California Golden Bears return 8 starters on offense and 5 starters on defense from the 2006 team that posted a 10-3 record and finished with a 45-10 win against Texas A&M in the Holiday Bowl.
Tennessee defeated California by a score of 35-18 in 2006. There have been no other recent matchups.
In 2006 the Tennessee offense averaged 110 yards rushing (3.68 yards per rush) and 264 yards passing while scoring an average of 29.3 points per game. The Tennessee defense gave up an average of 144 yards rushing (4.02 yards per rush) and 180 yards passing while giving up 19.5 points per game in 2006.
In 2006 the California offense averaged 156 yards rushing (4.75 yards per rush) and 255 yards passing while scoring an average of 31.8 points per game. The California defense gave up an average of 122 yards rushing (3.74 yards per rush) and 245 yards passing while giving up 20.1 points per game in 2006.
The Sagarin PREDICTOR ratings at USAToday.com rank the Volunteers at 22nd at 72.78. California ranks 11th at 86.22.
The Predictem Pick:
California will be trying to replace their starting running back Marshawn Lynch who was the key to their offense last year. Tennessee will bring a strong passing game against a defense that gives up yards and points. We feel this game will be a shootout and will take the points in this game.
California 28 Tennessee 27
Where are you betting this game? Do they let you use a credit card to deposit? Do they give reduced odds? Free bets? If not you should check out our Recommended Sportsbooks List.
