Tennessee-South Carolina predictions: Why are Gamecocks favored over Vols?

Shane Beamer is on one of college football's hottest seats.

Tennessee is coming off a massive win over Alabama.

So naturally, South Carolina is favored over the Volunteers in Saturday's matchup in Columbia.

The Gamecocks had a week to relish in their impressive road upset of Florida and rest up during their bye, while many are expecting a Vols letdown after such an emotional high and a field-storming last week.

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SEC letdowns have been popular this season:

• Ole Miss lost to Florida after beating LSU.
• Florida lost to Missouri after beating Ole Miss.
• Georgia lost to Tennessee after beating Alabama.

And there's a reason Tennessee fans are more worried than you think fans of the 11th-ranked team playing a 3-3 team should be. The Vols' last trip to Columbia in 2022 ended with a blowout loss that knocked them out of College Football Playoff contention.

Tennessee vs South Carolina predictions, expert picks

USA TODAY Sports staff picks:

• John Brice: Tennessee
• Matt Hayes: South Carolina
• Jordan Mendoza: South Carolina
• Paul Myerberg: Tennessee
• Erick Smith: South Carolina
• Eddie Timanus: South Carolina
• Blake Toppmeyer: Tennessee
• Austin Curtright: South Carolina 31, Tennessee 27
• John Leuzzi: South Carolina 24, Tennessee 21
• Jordan Mendoza: South Carolina 26, Tennessee 23
• LaNorris Sellers was awesome in leading the Gamecocks to an upset of Florida two weeks ago. He threw four touchdown passes and averaged eight yards per attempt. George MacIntyre was … fine as the Volunteers took down Alabama, primarily with a dominant defensive effort. It’s hard not to lean toward Sellers, as it looks like he might be getting hot. South Carolina 27, Tennessee 17— Adam Bittner, USA TODAY Sports
• This is a major trap game for Tennessee on the road after an emotional win, but its defense should travel just fine. The matchup may be decided by who's better between Vols running back DeSean Bishop and the Gamecocks' run defense that ranks third in the SEC. Oddsmakers slightly favor South Carolina in a spot that feels ripe for an unranked-over-ranked result. Still, picking against Tennessee's defense has been a fool's errand. Tennessee 24, South Carolina 21. — Emmett Siegal, Knoxville News Sentinel
• Tennessee's win over Alabama is nothing to ignore but South Carolina also had a statement win right before an extra week to get healthy with the open date. The Vols keep it close but the home crowd and older quarterback prevail. South Carolina 24, Tennessee 17. —Lulu Kesin, Greenville News

Tennessee-South Carolina injury report

After South Carolina was missing starting defensive back Quay'sheed Scott, defensive lineman Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, edge rusher Julian Walker and starting center Carter Miller against Florida on Oct. 10, only Miller and Scott of the four are on the report this week.

Scott is doubtful and Miller is listed as questionable.

There were no new injured Tennessee players listed on the initial SEC student-athlete availability report for the game against South Carolina. However, seven Tennessee players have already suffered season-ending injuries: starting left guard Wendell Moe; starting safety Edrees Farooq (knee); starting tight end Ethan Davis (knee); safety Dylan Lewis (foot); wide receiver/kick returner Joakim Dodson (leg); linebacker Jaedon Harmon (knee); and cornerback Jadais Richard (upper-body).

Is South Carolina favored vs Tennessee? Betting odds, spread

(via BetMGM)

• Favorite: South Carolina by 2 points
• Over/under: 50.5 total points
• Moneyline: South Carolina -130, Tennessee +110

Who will start at QB for Tennessee: George MacIntyre or Faizon Brandon?

Josh Heupel refused to name a starter for Saturday's game, but the Vols will likely stick with George MacIntyre under center for a third straight game. MacIntyre is 2-0 as a starter and completed 21-of-31 passes for 197 yards and an interception in Tennessee's 26-10 win over Alabama last week. Faizon Brandon, who won the starting QB job out of camp, dressed but did not play vs. the Crimson Tide.

"MacIntyre … you see him continuing to get better each and every week," Shane Beamer said. "With his ability to run the offense, get rid of the ball when it's not there in the passing game, sit in the pocket, throw the ball downfield, but make good decisions and continue to play winning football. And that's what I think both those guys are doing a great job of is playing winning football.”

Is Dylan Stewart playing vs Tennessee? Is South Carolina star pass rusher back from suspension?

Yes The Gamecocks edge rusher returned for the Florida game after serving a one-game suspension for multiple incidents in South Carolina's Sept. 26 loss to Alabama, which included punching a Crimson Tide player.

Against Florida, Stewart had his best performance of the season, with five tackles (four solo), two forced fumbles, one sack and one tackle for loss. Pro Football Focus gave him a career-best 95.8 grade for his defense and a 92.7 pressure grade, the second-highest in his three seasons.

"He was awesome throughout the game, his impact on the field is evident," Shane Beamer said. "He's a special talent in the way that he's able to affect other teams' offenses . . . I thought he did a great job, not just against the pass, but I really think thought he played the run well, just fitting gaps and being where he was supposed to be.

"... "This will be a huge couple weeks for him and should see an even better version of him against Tennessee."

What channel is Tennessee-South Carolina game on? How to watch, time, TV announcers

• Time: 3:30 p.m., Saturday
• TV: ESPN/Disney+
• Announcers: Wes Durham (play-by-play), Dusty Dvoracek (analyst) and Taylor McGregor (sideline)

Tennessee Vols football schedule

• Sept. 4: vs. Furman; W, 56-9
• Sept. 12: at Georgia Tech; W, 45-24
• Sept. 19: vs. Kennesaw State; W, 42-9
• Sept. 26: vs. Texas; L, 20-17
• Oct. 3: vs. Auburn; W, 24-14
• Oct. 10: at Arkansas; W-24-17
• Oct. 17: vs. Alabama; W, 26-10
• Oct. 24: at South Carolina, 3:30 pm
• Nov. 7: vs. Kentucky
• Nov. 14: at Texas A&M
• Nov. 21: vs. LSU
• Nov. 28: at Vanderbilt

South Carolina Gamecocks football schedule

• Sept. 5: vs. Kent State; W, 57-0
• Sept. 12: vs. Towson; W, 45-9
• Sept. 19: vs. Mississippi State; L, 41-34
• Sept 26: at Alabama; L, 49-18
• Oct. 3: vs. Kentucky; K, 35-34, OT
• Oct. 10: at Florida; W, 38-19
• Oct 24: vs. Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 31: at Oklahoma, 4:15 p.m.
• Nov. 7: vs. Texas A&M
• Nov. 14: at Arkansas
• Nov. 21: vs. Georgia
• Nov. 28: at Clemson

Knoxville News-Sentinel reporter Adam Sparks and Greenville News reporter Lulu Kesin contributed to this story.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tennessee-South Carolina predictions: Why are Gamecocks favored over Vols?