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Line Movement: Tennessee moves to a three-touchdown favorite against UTSA

IMG_3593by:Grant Ramey09/21/23

GrantRamey

UTSA
(Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports) Sep 2, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; UTSA Roadrunners wide receiver Joshua Cephus (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Tennessee football on Sunday opened as a 13-point favorite for Saturday’s home date with Texas San Antonio, according to Circa Sports. The lines from VegasInsider now have the Vols between a 19-point and 21-point favorite.

Tennessee (2-1) kicks off against UTSA (1-2) at 4 p.m. Eastern Time at Neyland Stadium on SEC Network. The Vols on Saturday lost 29-16 against Florida as a 5.5-point favorite at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville. UTSA dropped to 1-2 on the season after a 37-29 loss to Army Friday night in San Antonio.

Redshirt senior quarterback Frank Harris didn’t play due against Army due to a turf toe injury. It was initially reported that he would be a game-time decision, before ultimately being held out. 

The injury for Harris dates back to last season. During the offseason he talked openly about possibly retiring from football due to injuries he had suffered. He’s had four surgeries on his left knee along during his playing career.

“It’ll either be Frank Harris or Eddie Lee Marburger, so we’ll see,” UTSA coach Jeff Traylor said this week when asked who would start at quarterback for the Roadrunners. “… If Frank can go, he’ll be the quarterback. If he can’t, Eddie will probably start and we’ll probably see Owen (McCown) some in the game. 

A Closer Look: UTSA Roadrunners

UTSA started the season with a 17-14 loss at Houston then won in Week 2 against Texas State, 20-13.

Harris over the first two games complete 44 of 73 passes (.603) for 423 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Kevorian Barnes leads the Roadrunners on the ground with 51 carries for 245 yards and a touchdown. Josh Cephus is the leading receiver with 24 catches for 247 yards and two touchdowns. 

Eddie Lee Marburger started at quarterback in place of Harris against Army, completing 17 of 25 passes for 239 yards and three touchdowns. The Roadrunners rushed 22 times for 121 yards as a team.

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Army rushed for 254 yards as a team on 65 attempts against UTSA, scoring three times on the ground. Army quarterbacks Bryson Daily and Markel Johnson combined to go 8-for-18 passing for 188 yards and a touchdown. 

What’s Next: Tennessee’s remaining schedule

Tennessee returns home for back-to-back home games and a run of three straight at Neyland over a four-week span. After hosting UTSA, South Carolina comes to Knoxville on September 30, a 7:30 p.m. ET start on SEC Network. The Vols have an open date on October 1 and will face Texas A&M at home on October 14.

After that it’s back-to-back road games at Alabama (October 21) and at Kentucky (October 28) to round out the October schedule.

Tennessee plays three of four games in November at home, hosting UConn for homecoming on November 4, Georgia on November 18 and Vanderbilt on November 25 in the regular-season finale. The only road game in November is at Missouri on November 11.

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