Tennessee originally opened the week as significant favorites over Arkansas, landing as a 13.5-point favorite according to some sportsbooks such as FanDuel.
Within the 48 hours leading to kickoff, though, the line has shifted in the direction of the Razorbacks. Most sportsbooks have the line sitting at either 10 or 10.5 points in favor of Tennessee. ESPNBet has things as low as the Vols being 9.5-point favorites on Saturday morning with kickoff just hours away.
There’s usually movement throughout the week with the odds, but it has been a notable late-week shift for Tennessee-Arkansas that’s worth calling attention to.
Here’s a look at how some of the major sportsbooks have Tennessee-Arkansas on the Saturday of the game:
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What’s been interesting is that Tennessee actually received positive news in the middle of the week, but it didn’t seem to impact the line all too much. According to the official SEC availability report, the Vols will be getting star defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs back from injury as he prepares to see his first action of the season.
This news also comes on the heels of Tennessee getting back starting defensive lineman Jaxson Moi for the Mississippi State game before the open date last weekend. Both of those two additions, even if they are still getting back into midseason conditioning, should be a big help in Tennessee improving its run defense. With a mobile quarterback like Taylen Green set to lead the Razorbacks on offense on Saturday, that could prove to be a key detail when Arkansas has the ball.
No. 12 Tennessee will host Arkansas at 4:15 p.m. in Neyland Stadium in afternoon SEC action. ESPN’s Football Power Index has Tennessee with an 82.4% chance to win. Just as an extra note, that is slightly down from Wednesday’s number at 82.6%.
Here’s a look at some of the major odds heading into Saturday’s game on Rocky Top:
Check out some of the top sportsbook promos and betting bonus codes in the state of Tennessee here.
