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No. 12 Tennessee Volunteers vs Arkansas Razorbacks Betting Preview
The No. 12 Tennessee Volunteers return home to Neyland Stadium for a revenge matchup against the Arkansas Razorbacks — a team that derailed their College Football Playoff hopes last season. The Volunteers (4-1, 1-1 SEC) are heavy favorites, while the Razorbacks (2-3, 0-1) enter with new energy under interim head coach Bobby Petrino, who took over after the firing of Sam Pittman during the bye week.
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Kickoff is scheduled for 4:15 PM ET on SECN, with Tennessee listed as a -12.5 favorite and the total sitting at 69.5 points. Arkansas hasn’t lost to the Vols since 2011, winning four straight in the series — but Petrino’s challenge is monumental against one of the nation’s most explosive offenses.
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Line Movement and Betting Overview
The Volunteers opened at -11.5 before quickly climbing to -12.5 following early sharp action on the home side. The total, meanwhile, saw heavy early play on the Over, jumping from 67 to 69.5 as bettors anticipate another offensive showcase from Josh Heupel’s high-octane attack.
Tennessee leads the country in scoring (51.0 points per game) and ranks sixth in total offense (536.4 yards per game). Quarterback Joey Aguilar has been sensational in his first season as a starter, but the defense remains a work in progress — which gives Arkansas hope to keep it close.
“They spread the field, but they want to run the ball,” said Arkansas coach Bobby Petrino. “The biggest challenge is defending both the pass and the run — and finding ways to score with them.”
Matchup Breakdown
Arkansas Razorbacks Outlook
The Razorbacks hit reset under Petrino, who immediately made waves by firing three defensive coaches and cutting back practice days to improve game-week preparation.
Arkansas enters off a humbling 56-13 loss to Notre Dame, but the offense has firepower behind quarterback Taylen Green, who leads the nation with 367.8 total yards per game. Green has thrown 12 touchdowns and posted two 100-yard rushing performances, making him one of the SEC’s toughest dual threats.
Running back Mike Washington Jr. exploded for 160 rushing yards against Notre Dame, giving Petrino a key backfield weapon. Defensively, the Razorbacks rank 5th nationally in interceptions and 13th in sacks, showing flashes of disruptive potential despite inconsistent overall play.
However, Arkansas’s secondary will be under siege from Tennessee’s vertical passing attack, and their defensive discipline will be tested against the Vols’ tempo.
Tennessee Volunteers Outlook
Tennessee bounced back from its Week 4 loss to Ole Miss with a 41-34 win over Mississippi State, powered by Joey Aguilar’s 335 passing yards and a balanced offensive effort. The Vols rank 3rd in scoring offense (255 total points) and 9th in passing yards (1,722).
Wide receiver Chris Brazzell II has been Aguilar’s top target, compiling 531 receiving yards, while the running game remains efficient thanks to Cameron Seldon and Dylan Sampson, who have combined for 11 rushing scores.
Defensively, Tennessee ranks 4th in the nation in sacks, with edge rusher James Pearce Jr. anchoring the pass rush. The Vols’ biggest weakness has been in coverage — a potential opening for Taylen Green’s deep-ball capability.
Heupel knows Arkansas won’t be intimidated:
“Bobby’s done it at a really high level for a really long time,” Heupel said. “They’ve been on the wrong side of a few games, but that’s a dangerous team with a quarterback who can hurt you.”
Injuries and Conditions
| Arkansas Razorbacks | Tennessee Volunteers |
|---|---|
| QB Taylen Green – Probable (shoulder) | CB Jermod McCoy – Out (knee, ACL recovery) |
| RB Mike Washington Jr. – Probable (ankle) | WR Squirrel White – Questionable (hamstring) |
| WR Isaiah Sategna – Out (hand) | LB Elijah Herring – Probable (ankle) |
| DE Landon Jackson – Questionable (shoulder) | RB Dylan Sampson – Probable (foot) |
Best Bets and Prediction
Tennessee’s offense is firing on all cylinders, averaging over 530 yards and 7.4 yards per play, and Neyland Stadium remains one of the toughest venues in college football. Arkansas’s Taylen Green may make a few highlight-reel plays, but Tennessee’s defensive front and depth should take control late.
Pick: Tennessee -12.5 (-110)
Projected Score: Tennessee 38, Arkansas 24
Lean: Under 69.5 (-112)
Trend to Know: Tennessee is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games at home against unranked opponents.
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best Bet | Tennessee -12.5 (-110) |
| Confidence Rating | ★★★★☆ |
| Projected Score | Tennessee 38, Arkansas 24 |
| Total Lean | Under 69.5 (-112) |
| Market Split | 59% bets on Tennessee, 64% money on Under |
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