The No. 22 Tennessee Volunteers (1-0) face an FCS opponent, the East Tennessee State Buccaneers (1-0), on Saturday, September 6, 2025 at Neyland Stadium.

The Buccaneers are expected to lose by at least two TDs (currently +40.5) against the Volunteers (with an over/under of 56.5 points).

Below you can find our betting primer for this this contest between the Volunteers and the Buccaneers, and discover all of our betting picks here, too!

Tennessee vs. East Tennessee State betting lines

• Spread favorite: Volunteers (-40.5)
• Moneyline: Volunteers (), Buccaneers ()
• Total: 56.5 points

Tennessee vs. East Tennessee State betting info and stats

Tennessee has a single win against the spread this season (1-0-0). Tennessee won the lone game it played when favored on the moneyline this season. East Tennessee State has yet to win a game against the spread this season (0-1-0). This is the first game on the year East Tennessee State is the moneyline underdog.

Tennessee vs. East Tennessee State key players

Tennessee Volunteers

• Nico Iamaleava put up a passing stat line last season of 2,606 yards with a 63.8% completion rate (213-for-334), 19 touchdowns, five interceptions, and an average of 200.5 yards per game. His rushing stat line was 109 carries for 364 yards and three TDs.
• Last season, Dylan Sampson ran for 1,491 yards on 258 attempts (114.7 yards per game) and scored 22 times.
• DeSean Bishop put up 455 rushing yards on 74 carries and three touchdowns last season.
• Dont’e Terrell Thornton Jr. collected 26 receptions for 661 yards and six touchdowns last year. He was targeted 34 times, and averaged 50.8 yards per game.
• Bru McCoy also impressed receiving last season. He collected 39 receptions for 472 yards and two touchdowns. He was targeted 62 times.
• Squirrel White grabbed 34 passes for 381 yards and two touchdowns, putting up 29.3 yards per game last year.
• James Pearce Jr. did his thing last season with an incredible stat line of 7.5 sacks, 9.0 TFL and 31 tackles.
• Arion Carter was a wrecking ball on the field, collecting 49 tackles, 5.0 TFL, and one interception last year.
• Will Brooks collected four interceptions while adding 45 tackles, 2.0 TFL, 0.5 sacks, and four passes defended last year.

East Tennessee State Buccaneers

• Jaylen King threw for 1,536 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He also chipped in with his legs, accumulating five touchdowns while racking up 422 yards.
• Bryson Irby racked up six rushing touchdowns on 69.4 yards per game last season.
• Last season DeVontae Houston rushed for 648 yards. He also scored three total touchdowns.
• AJ Johnson averaged 58.5 yards on 3.5 receptions per game and racked up six receiving touchdowns in 2024.
• Hakeem Meggett caught 21 passes last season on his way to 427 yards and two receiving touchdowns.
• Karim Page averaged 31.1 receiving yards per game on 2.8 targets per game a season ago.
• Zachary West proved to be a strong defender last year, recording 8.5 sacks, five tackles.
• Cameron Sims was a playmaker on defense last season with eight tackles.
• Last year Nicholas Hunter intercepted two passes to go along with three tackles and 6.5 sacks.