Free College Football Picks Today: South Carolina Gamecocks vs Tennessee Volunteers 11/19/22

The South Carolina Gamecocks (6-4, 3-4 SEC) play host to the No. 5 University of Tennessee Volunteers (9-1, 5-1 SEC) at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday for a matchup that pits one of the Southeastern Conference’s best passing defenses against its most potent aerial offense.

The Volunteers are 22-point favorites, and the total is 66.Tennessee is coming off a one-sided 66-24 win over Missouri at Neyland Stadium last Saturday. Hendon Hooker was 25 of 35 for 355 yards and three touchdowns. Dylan Sampson ran eight times for 98 yards and a touchdown.

Jalin Hyatt caught seven passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. South Carolina lost 38-6 to Florida at Florida Field at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium last Saturday. Spencer Rattler threw for 193 yards. Jaheim Bell carried 12 times for 30 yards. Dakereon Joyner scored once. He caught two receptions for 73 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Volunteers won the only game between the teams last season, a 45-20 victory in October, their third straight win against South Carolina. Hendon Hooker threw three touchdowns for Tennessee. Kevin Harris had two touchdowns for South Carolina.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Volunteers are averaging 47.4 points per game for the season, best in FBS, and they are facing a Gamecocks defense that has surrendered 26.2 PPG (68th). Meanwhile, South Carolina has scored 28.6 points a game this season, 68th in the nation, and Tennessee is allowing 21.9 PPG (37th).

The Volunteers rank as one of the country’s top teams in passing yards per game (348.2, 2nd), while they are 28th in rushing yards (195.5). The Gamecocks are 28th in passing yards allowed per game (194.0) and 113th against the run (192.0). South Carolina is 71st in the country in passing yards per game (228.0) and 97th in rushing (127.2). Tennessee’s defense has been stout on the ground, as the Volunteers are 11th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game (104.6). Against the pass, the Volunteers are 124th (288.0).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through 10 games, Hendon Hooker has thrown for 24 touchdowns (2 INT) and 288.8 yards per game to lead Tennessee in passing. In three away games this season, he has four TDs (1 INT) and an average of 253.0 yards passing. Jaylen Wright leads the team in rushing with an average of 59.8 yards a game over 10 games. He has eight touchdowns on the ground and three through the air.

Jalin Hyatt is the Volunteers’ leading receiver with 111.6 yards a game and 15 TDs. Spencer Rattler has eight passing touchdowns (9 INT) with 196.8 yards per game through 10 games to lead South Carolina. In six home games this season, he has thrown for three TDs (7 INT) and an average of 180.5 yards.

MarShawn Lloyd has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 69.5 yards a game through eight games. He has 11 total touchdowns, nine rushing and two receiving. Antwane Wells Jr. has been a key target in the Gamecocks’ passing game. He has four touchdowns and a 65.6 yard per game average through nine appearances.