SEC Week 9 prop bets:

TOTAL POINTS SCORED IN KNOXVILLE

Options — 28 or less; 35 or less; Between 45 and 50; 51 or more

Projection: No offense in the country has a tougher two-game stretch than Tennessee this season culminating in Saturday’s battle with Alabama. The Vols turned it over four times and gave up nine sacks in last week’s loss at Ole Miss against the nation’s top-rated scoring defense. With quarterback Justin Worley’s status uncertain, the Crimson Tide defense will pin its ears back against Butch Jones’ planned two-quarterback set. There’s no way Tennessee will be able to establish a much-needed rhythm offensively behind a struggling line, but Nick Saban’s never been one to run up the score. The Vols’ defense is also underrated. A 35-point win sounds about right in the 45 to 50 total point range.

AUBURN’S OFFENSIVE PRODUCTION VS. SOUTH CAROLINA

Options — 250-300 yards; 301-350; 351-400; 401-450; 451 or more

Projection: This was a matchup of heavy intrigue before the season, two SEC Championship contenders with talented rosters and elite-level coaches expected to be in the College Football Playoff conversation. Unfortunately for viewers Saturday night on SEC Network, only one of these teams has panned out. Fifth-ranked Auburn’s a nearly three-touchdown favorite over Steve Spurrier’s Gamecocks, a squad struggling mightily on defense. South Carolina’s giving up an SEC-high 5.3 yards per carry and has allowed 15 rushing touchdowns on the season. Given Auburn’s strength on the ground, the war in the trenches should be a one-sided affair. When the Tigers establish the run early, Nick Marshall’s playaction game can be quite deadly. We’re going with Auburn approaching 500 yards in a sizable win.