:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/66009695/usa_today_13755428.0.jpg)
The Tennessee Volunteers are set to play the Indiana Hoosiers in the Gator Bowl on the second day of 2020. This one will feature two similar resumes in which both beat up on the bottom of their schedule while losing to the big guys.
After a pair of 5-7 seasons, head coach Tom Allen brought the Hoosiers back to a bowl game with an 8-4 record. Indiana will be without its freshman starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who was ruled out for the rest of the season in early November. Peyton Ramsey filled in nicely for the Hoosiers, who have not won a bowl game since 1991.
Tennessee began the season 1-4 but rallied back to win six of its last seven games with the lone loss coming to Alabama in what was a close game in the second half. It’s been an up and down season for Jarrett Guarantano, who was benched and then placed in the starting lineup after playing well off the bench. He’s been incredibly inconsistent in 2019.
Game Time/TV Channel/Streaming
The TaxSlayer Gator Bowl will begin at 7:00 p.m. ET in Jacksonville, Florida on Thursday, Jan. 2 and can be seen on ESPN and streamed on WatchESPN.
Point Spread, Totals, Odds, Trends
Spread: Tennessee (-2.5) vs. Indiana
Point Total: 54.5 O/U (-110)
Money line: Volunteers (-129), Hoosiers (+106)
- Tennessee is 6-1 against the spread in its last seven games.
- The total went under in six of Tennessee’s last seven games.
- Indiana is 6-3 against the spread in its last nine game.
- The total went over in four of Indiana’s last six games.
The Best Bet
Tennessee is coming into this game winners of five consecutive games and continue to impress during the second half of year two under Jeremy Pruitt. I think we will see the good version of Guarantano, which means great things for the Volunteers. I’ll take Tennessee by a touchdown in the Gator Bowl.
Pick: Tennessee -2.5
Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ/WV/PA) or 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN) or 1-800-522-4700 (NH). NH/NJ/WV/IN/PA only. 21+ (18+ NH). Eligibility Restrictions Apply. See website for details.