Saturday Down South tabs Tennessee to upset South Carolina in Week 8 picks

Tennessee is listed as an underdog heading into its Week 8 game at South Carolina, but Saturday Down South is picking the Volunteers to pull the upset in Columbia. The pick was one of five upset calls the outlet made for this week's college football slate, alongside selections involving Duke, UCF, Kansas and Houston in their respective games.

The case for Tennessee comes with some caution. The Volunteers are coming off an emotional win, while South Carolina had an open week to rest and prepare, a combination that would normally give pause about backing the road team. Even so, the column's view of Tennessee was strong enough to override those concerns.

That confidence rests in part on quarterback George MacIntyre and his continued development. The analysis views Tennessee as a top-10 caliber team and a genuine College Football Playoff contender capable of winning a game in that field if MacIntyre keeps improving. It also points to the Volunteers' defense and running game as strengths that should hold up away from home.

For Tennessee, a win in Columbia would back up that billing and strengthen its place in the playoff conversation. The market price cited with the pick put the Volunteers at 46 percent on Polymarket, underscoring that this is still framed as an upset rather than an expected result, which makes the outcome an important test of whether the Vols can deliver on the road.