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Other than their place in the SEC standings, these two teams couldn't be any more different. Tennessee has a powerful offense that scores over 36 points per game while Missouri relies on their defense, holding opponents to under 23 points per game. The spread has the Volunteer offense winning out, and the Tigers as 2.5-point underdogs on Saturday.
Though they are winless in their five SEC games this season, Missouri nearly pulled off a shocker against Florida last weekend, losing by a touchdown and covering the spread of 18.5. Tennessee has had similarly close games versus big opponents go against them, losing to Georgia and South Carolina by a combined 10 points.
Neither team performs particularly well against the spread, with Tennessee 3-6 and Missouri 4-4-1. Tennessee's latest letdown was their failure as a favorite to cover an 18.5-point spread against Troy, to whom they allowed 48 points.
This game will be decided when the strengths of both teams are on the field, when the Volunteer offense squares off against the Tiger defense.