Virginia vs Tennessee Prediction - College Football Picks 9/2/23

Tennessee Volunteers (0-0) vs Virginia Cavaliers (0-0)

Game Info: Saturday, September 2, 2023 at 12:00 pm (Nissan Stadium)

Betting Odds: Tennessee Volunteers -28 -- Over/Under: 58.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Virginia Cavaliers will head down to Knoxville to take on the Tennessee Volunteers in non-conference action this Saturday on ABC. Tennessee leads the head-to-head series, 3-1, with the last meeting coming in 1991.

Virginia Cavaliers Preview

• Virginia went 3-7 last season, with a 1-6 record in ACC play. The Cavaliers had their season altered by an unfortunate event that took place on campus, and altered the whole town of Charlottesville. UVA scored 17.1 points per game, while passing for 221.1 yards per game, and rushing for 123.1 ypg.

• Virginia lost Brennan Armstrong, and either Monmouth transfer Tony Muskett or redshirt senior Jared Rayman may end up under center in Knoxville. Muskett passed for 1.997 yards with 17 touchdowns to eight interceptions last season.

• The returning veteran combo of Mike Hollins and Perris Jones, along with former Clemson back Kobe Pace will likely lead the backfield. Jones totaled 365 rushing yards and scored twice last season, while Hollins rushed for 215 yards.

• UVA loss the majority of it’s receiver room, and former Northwestern wideout Malik Washington (65/694/1) will likely find a big role with the Wahoos.

• The Virginia defense allowed 24.1 ppg in 2022

Tennessee Volunteers Preview

Tennessee went 11-2 last season, with a 6-2 record in SEC play that was capped off by an Orange Bowl win over Clemson. The Volunteers returned to prominence last season, and they’ve got a chance to double down on one of best year’s in school history. Tennessee scored 46.1 points per game, while passing for 254.5 yards per game, and rushing for 107.3 ypg.

• Joe Milton will now step into his first full season as the starter behind center, and he could wind up being the next great Vols QB. The senior signal caller performed well in spot duty, before starting the final two games, and delivering a three-touchdown performance in the Orange Bowl win over Clemson. Milton passed for 720 passing yards, with seven touchdowns to no interceptions.

• Jabari Small returns as the team’s leading rusher, and he had a productive 2022 campaign, scoring a touchdown in nine of the final ten games, while gaining 696 rushing yards.

• It’s Bru McCoy’s time to shine, as the former highly touted receiver remains the last of the great trio in Knoxville from last season, and he’ll likely improve on his solid line of 48/619/3.

• The Tennessee defense allowed 22.8 ppg in 2022.

Corey’s Free Pick

College football is simply better when Tennessee is good, and they’ve got a very good shot to have another strong season here in the toughest conference in football. Virginia comes in as a rebuilding program, with a heavy heart, but inexperience on both sides of the ball. It will be nice to see the program move past last Fall’s tragedy, but I don’t think the Vols are going to take things lightly here. Let’s back the blowout for this battle of bordering states, and take Tennessee's margin Saturday.