The Ball State Cardinals travel to Knoxville, Tennessee to face off against the Tennessee Volunteers in a Week 1 contest at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Tennessee is favored by 36 points at Caesars Sportsbook, while the over/under is set at 66.5 (see up-to-date odds for every game this week on our college football odds page). 

Before making any Ball State vs. Tennessee picks, you NEED to check out the college football predictions from the SportsLine Projection Model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past six-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It enters Week 1 of the 2022 college football season on a 45-32 run on all top-rated college football spread and money-line picks that dates back to 2021. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

The model knows Tennessee's offense was extremely productive during the 2021 campaign. The Volunteers were able to run and pass the ball against their opponents effectively. They ranked third in the SEC in total yards (474.9), fourth in passing yards per game (257.1), and second in rushing yards per game (217.8). Senior quarterback Hendon Hooker is a major contributor to this dynamic offense.

The model also knows Ball State will look to get its rushing attack going. The Cardinals have a talented backfield, led by sophomore running back Carson Steele. This unit averaged 130.7 rushing yards per game and looks to have a dominant ground game in the season opener. The Volunteers' defense allowed 153.2 rushing yards per game during the 2021 campaign. 

Now, it has set its sights on Ball State vs. Tennessee. We can tell you the model is leaning Under the total, and it also says one side of the spread hits in 70% of simulations! You ABSOLUTELY need to see it before locking in any college football picks.

So who wins Ball State vs. Tennessee? And which side of the spread hits 70% of the time? Join SportsLine now to find out, all from the model that has crushed its top-rated college football picks against the spread!