Tennessee vs. Arkansas Prediction, Picks, Spread, Odds, Where to Watch, TV Channel, Live Stream

No. 4 Tennessee and Arkansas have different reasons for wanting a win in an underrated showdown Saturday featuring two of the SEC’s most electrifying quarterbacks.

The stakes are clear, but not the same: Tennessee is competing for an SEC title; Arkansas is fighting for its season. The Razorbacks (3-2, 1-1 SEC) have failed to pick up decisive wins on the season, extending their lead against national-ranked Oklahoma State and Texas A&M only to falter late with turnovers and offensive errors advised. Meanwhile, the Volunteers (4-0, 1-0) are going according to plan with the top-scoring offense in the country and the No. 1 defense, a development that has given them a good edge in close games.

Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava and Arkansas’ Taylon Green are among the most entertaining quarterbacks in the country. Iamaleava’s strong arm and top-notch receivers make for a productive offense, averaging 54 points per game. Green does a little bit of everything for Bobby Petrino’s offense, averaging 313.4 yards per game, but turnovers and costly penalties have marred his stellar performances.

Tennessee travels to Fayetteville after a bye week, creating even more uncertainty for the Hogs, who expect the Vols to add a few new wrinkles to their already explosive plans.

No. 4 Tennessee vs. Arkansas: Here’s what you need to know

Tennessee’s defense is elite: Tennessee’s offense isn’t just amazing. The defense is off to its best start since 1966, allowing just 7 points per game in four games. The unit is allowing just 176.9 yards per game, the best mark by an SEC team since 2007, when LSU won the national title. The key is the defensive line, which rotates in three lines. Twelve defensive linemen played in the 25-5 win over Oklahoma and 10 players combined for 11 tackles for loss.

“If we just let them come at us, it’s going to be a difficult challenge to block them at times,” Arkansas coach Sam Pittman said. “They’re not going to have a tired guy out there – there’s no need for that – because they’re very talented and have a lot of depth.”

Sales kill the pigs: It’s not just turnovers that have been deadly for the Hogs this season, it’s the timing of those fumbles and interceptions. The Hogs rank 89th in turnover margin (-0.4 per game) and have also been assessed penalties at key moments, ranking them 76th. Green failed in a comeback attempt with 90 seconds left last week and threw an interception late in the first half, ending a promising 10-play drive. The Hogs lost 21-17. Tennessee has forced three turnovers in its last three road or neutral games.

Dylan Sampson runs with the best: Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty is the best running back in the country, but Tennessee’s Dylan Sampson can at least match him in one category: touchdowns. Sampson is averaging 112.3 rushing yards to go and 10 scores, making him and Jeanty the only running backs with at least 10 touchdowns this season. Sampson is slippery between the tackles, making him problematic for any defense he faces. Oklahoma’s defensive line is one of the best in the country, but he led them with 92 yards and a touchdown.

How to watch No. 4 Tennessee vs. Arkansas live

Date: Saturday, Oct. 5 | Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium – Fayetteville, Arkansas
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)

#4 Tennessee vs. Arkansas Prediction, Tips

Tennessee held back against Oklahoma, opting to rely on the running attack instead of adding to it after building a 22-3 lead two weeks ago. However, Arkansas presents a different challenge, especially with a mobile quarterback. This should be a solid test for Tennessee’s elite and deep defensive line, especially against the run. The Hogs struggle in passing but are strong in the run department, ranking 21st nationally with 212 yards per game. Ja’Quinden Jackson is averaging 6.4 yards per carry and quarterback Taylen Green is the second-leading rusher with 66.2 yards per game. However, the Hogs try too hard Making plays when things go wrong and that leads to costly turnovers that led to losses to Oklahoma State and Texas A&M in one-possession games. The Hogs are among the worst in the SEC in turnover margin (14th), and Tennessee’s defense is among the best in the country in every category. Pick: Arkansas +13.5

SportsLine’s proven computer model calls for seven upsets in Week 6 of college football. Visit SportsLine now to see them all, plus get spread picks for every game from the model that simulates every game 10,000 times.