Two schools that prefer to run the football, Volunteers of Tennessee (-29.5) are set to welcome the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide to Neyland Stadium. Fans are able to tune in to the action on CBS and this pivotal SEC game is scheduled to get underway at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview
Alabama is the heavy road favorite and is currently giving up 29.5 points to Tennessee. If the Vols get ahead early it’ll result in a nice betting opportunity in-game. Vegas has placed the over/under (O/U) at 57 points.
This matchup’s line has recently moved up from 28.5 to where it stands now (29.5). The game’s O/U has not changed after being set initially at 57.
The Crimson Tide have recorded 0.0 units so far and are 4-3 against the spread (ATS). The team has posted an O/U mark of 5-2. The Volunteers have been a pleasant surprise for moneyline bettors this season, gaining 4.0 units. The team is 3-3 ATS and has an even O/U record of 3-3.
The Crimson Tide are 7-0 straight up (SU), including 4-0 SU against SEC opponents. The Volunteers are 3-3 SU overall and 1-2 SU in conference play.
When these two schools met last year, Alabama knocked Alabama off soundly 45-7.
The Crimson Tide are looking to remain undefeated after a 39-10 win over Missouri last week. The Tide defense did its part in the win, limiting the Tigers to just 142 passing yards and 70 yards on the ground. On the offense, the Crimson Tide completed 19-of-30 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Tua Tagovailoa went 12-for-22 for 265 yards and three touchdowns while Jalen Hurts completed seven-of-eight for 115 yards. Damien Harris (62 yards on 14 rushes, one TD) and Najee Harris (57 yards on 13 carries) led the ground attack while Devonta Smith (four receptions, 100 yards, one TD) and Henry Ruggs III (four catches, 50 yards) manned the receiving duties in the win.
Tennessee just put together a 30-24 win over Auburn. Jarrett Guarantano completed 21-of-32 passes for 328 yards and two touchdowns. Ty Chandler (50 rushing yards on 16 attempts) and Tim Jordan (26 yards on 13 carries) mounted the running game while Jauan Jennings (five receptions, 71 yards, one TD) and Chandler (five catches, 62 yards, one TD) led the receiving attack in the win.
Alabama has run the ball on 61.7 percent of its offensive plays this year, including 59.2 percent across possessions in conference play. Tennessee has a run percentage of 64.2 percent, and has rushed the ball 59.6 percent of the time against SEC opponents. The Crimson Tide have produced 217 rush yards/game (including 187 per game versus Southeastern opponents) and have 17 touchdowns on the ground this year. The Vols are averaging 159 rush yards per game (97 in conference) and have 10 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season can translate to this game, then it appears the Crimson Tide might hold an edge when it comes to effectiveness in the ground game. Their running backs has produced 5.2 yards per carry while their defense is allowing 3.9 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Volunteers have rushed for 3.9 yards per carry and given up 4.5 yards per rush attempt to opponents.
The Tide offensive scheme has averaged a ridiculous 350 yards through the air overall (374 per game versus conference opposition) and has 27 passing TDs so far. The Vols have put up 207 pass yards per outing (226.3 against SEC competition) and have seven total pass scores.
Alabama appears to possess an advantage in both defensive phases. The team has let opponents rush for an average of 125 yards and pass for 190 yards per game. The Tennessee D has allowed 205.8 yards per game to opposing passers and 152.7 yards per game on the ground. The Tide are allowing an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of only 3.27 to opposing QBs, while the Vols have given up a 6.34 ANY/A.
Offensively, Tagovailoa is up to 1,426 passing yards this season. He’s completed 71 percent of his 110 attempts with 17 scores through the air and has yet to throw an interception. Tagovailoa has a pristine 15.41 adjusted net yards per pass attempt overall, although that number is 20.19 over the past two games.
For the home team, Jarrett Guarantano has managed to complete 67-of-104 passes for 986 yards, four TDs and two INTs. Guarantano’s ANY/A sits at 8.13 for the season and 9.05 over his past two outings.
RELATED: Week 8 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
NCAA Pick: Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers
SU Winner – Tennessee, ATS Winner – Tennessee, O/U – Over
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Notes
Betting Trends
The O/U for Alabama’s last game was set at 72. The under cashed in the team’s 39-10 victory over Missouri.
As a team, Alabama has averaged 5.3 yards per rush attempt over its past three outings and 5.0 over its last two.
Tennessee has averaged 2.5 yards per carry over its last three contests and only 2.2 over its past two.
The Tennessee offense has lost seven fumbles this season while Alabama has lost four.
Over its last three games, Alabama is 1-2 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Over/Under for Tennessee’s last matchup was set at 47.5. The over cashed in the 30-24 victory over Auburn.
Over its last three contests, Tennessee is 2-1 ATS and the over cashed in two of those three.
The Crimson Tide offense has produced 15 pass plays of 40 yards or more, while the Volunteers have accounted for six such plays.
The Alabama defense has allowed two pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Tennessee has given up three such plays.
The Alabama offense has created nine rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Tennessee has created seven such runs.
The Crimson Tide defense has allowed nine rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Volunteers have given up five such runs.
The Alabama defensive unit has sacked opposing quarterbacks 23 times this year. Tennessee has registered just 12 sacks.
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