I know next to nothing about A&M. What makes them 6 point favorites?

[10EC]

The DE?

[PirateVOL]

Their defense, especially the front line/7 is very good.  Their secondary can be exploited, if the QB has time.
Their running game is prolific at the moment.  Their QB can be hot and cold and their offense is dependent on his actions, similar to us with Dobbs.
I think this is the third straight year they have started 5-0

[Creek Walker]

Over the last 3 years under Sumlin, TAMU has become accustomed to fast starts, then going into tailspins. Last year, it was a 5-0 start until TAMU met Alabama. Then they lost 3 of 4. In 2014, it was a 5-0 start until they met Mississippi State, then it was 3 straight losses (and 5 of 7 losses overall). In 2013 they started 5-1, but then met Auburn and loss 3 of their last 6.

Hopefully this will be their week to stumble. If Tennessee plays like it is capable of playing, there's no reason this can't be a W. If Tennessee plays the way it has played through the first five games of the season, this will almost certainly be a L.

[VinnieVOL]

For one thing, A&M leads the league with 521 yards per game. 

[MIAUTIGER]

As Pirate pointed out, their front seven be really good. Their QB (Knight) is also hot at times and can burn you with his running. But as they showed with USCe this past weekend, they can be cold and sputter on offense. The 6.5 point favorite I think is the 3 you get for home team, plus their defense being pretty good.

IMO, the toughest matchup will be for your O line trying to keep their front 7, specifically Myles Garrett, from killing Dobbs. That guy is as an impressive of a DE of any I've seen in the SEC.

[73Volgrad]

Myles Garrett (DE) did not play at SC and was limited in Arkansas game after ankle/shin injury. When he is not in, the defense does not play as well. Their next man up lacked impact. UT has lost 3 defensive stars and appears to have done OK after Shoop adjusted.

On offense, they sputtered because two WRs (injury) did not make trip to SC. Although expected back, will they be as effective?

Was A&M overlooking the Gamecocks for the Vols? Maybe. Sumlin coached teams also have a tendency to start to unravel after 5 games. Here's hoping this trend continues.

I hope for a close game into the 4tyh quarter. If so, this team believes they can win.

[Tnphil]

Aside from their defense A&M has some of the best WRs and probably as a group the best in the conference and we haven't been real good at stopping a good passing attack. If Knight has time to throw I'm not sure I like our chances if Knight is on his game. And I'm not real confident when playing a QB than can run.

Our defense needs to get better...quick! Right now I'd put their offense a tad above ours and defense 2 tads above us. We need to get our running game going and move the chains...3 and outs are never good...this week even worse.