ESPN’s Cole Cubelic said he had trouble picking a winner in the Tennessee vs South Carolina matchup that will be played in Columbia on Saturday.

The Vols are coming off an emotional win over Alabama while the Gamecocks are coming off a bye week (Tennessee has its bye next weekend).

Nearly everyone in the national media is picking South Carolina to beat Tennessee on Saturday — mostly because of the potential for a “letdown game” from the Vols (and because it seems like everyone in the SEC this year loses the week after winning a big game).

ESPN’s Cole Cubelic makes his prediction for Tennessee vs South Carolina

Cubelic thinks Tennessee’s defense will play well, but he eventually picked South Carolina to beat Tennessee in Williams-Brice Stadium this week.

“You’ve got to be careful with (South Carolina QB) LaNorris Sellers when you bring [pressure] because he can flat outrun you,” said Cubelic. “And he’s physical enough to shake a defender and then keep a play alive. His receivers have started to help him just a little bit, and South Carolina has found some life on offense.

“Defensively, this will be a tall task for Tennessee. You have some defensive linemen up front for South Carolina. When you look at 13 and 99, they’re playing good football. And they have a very fast group of linebackers. Now, you can take advantage of that. Misdirection should be big for Tennessee. The quick game has got to go for (Tennessee QB) George MacIntyre early. Do not be surprised if you see a package to get Faizon Brandon in and maybe try to implement some quarterback runs to try and just change up the look and do some different things and keep that defense at bay.”

“I’m having trouble picking it. I’m having trouble with which side to go with,” continued Cubelic. “I loved how the Tennessee defense has looked recently. I think Tennessee is stubborn enough with the run to slow this game down, and I don’t see South Carolina wanting this to really be a track meet. [South Carolina] will give you some shot plays, and LaNorris can move around the pocket and keep some plays alive. But being at home and going up against the bye, I’m gonna say it’s a bit too much (for Tennessee). I’m gonna say South Carolina finds a way to get this one at home. Tennessee is not favored in this game, but I feel like they should be. But that home field advantage and playing into your bye and being a little bit gassed against a fast defense — (South Carolina EDGE) Dylan Stewart’s got a chance to have a big impact on this game. I’m gonna take South Carolina and Clayton White’s defense to be able to slow this thing down, and the Gamecocks find a way to get a win.”

Well, there’s certainly no way Tennessee is overlooking this game. No one really seems to think the Vols are going to beat the Gamecocks.

And hey, I get it. Tennessee is 2-6 in their last eight trips to Columbia. They haven’t won a game there in front of a full stadium since 2014. It’s a house of horrors for the Volunteers.

But the last couple of big games the Vols lost in Williams-Brice Stadium (2016 and 2022) were games where it felt like everyone just assumed Tennessee was going to get the job done.

That’s not the case this year. No one thinks the Volunteers are going to get the job done.

I don’t know what the outcome will be on Saturday, but I feel pretty confident that Tennessee will show up ready to play. There’s no shot they’re taking South Carolina lightly this week.