This looks like a potential shootout as the Tennessee Volunteers (3-3) meet the Alabama Crimson Tide (6-1). The SEC’s second-leading rusher, Derrick Henry (901 yards, 12 TDs), will have a major impact on this contest. It will begin Saturday, Oct 24 at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be seen on CBS.
Alabama beat Texas A&M 41-23 last week. Derrick Henry had a big game on the ground in the win, gaining 236 yards and two TDs on 32 carries. Calvin Ridley added 52 receiving yards on seven receptions. Tennessee also got the win in its last game, beating Georgia 38-31. Joshua Dobbs had an outstanding performance throwing the ball for the Volunteers, completing 25 of 42 passes for 312 yards, three TDs and one interception. He added 118 yards and two TDs on 18 rush attempts. Ethan Wolf finished with 56 receiving yards on three receptions.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment.
Heading into Week 8 of the college football season, the Crimson Tide are 6-1 Straight Up (SU) and 3-4 Against The Spread (ATS). During their last five games, the Crimson Tide have done an improved job of keeping their opponents from advancing the ball, only giving up 272 yards per game. A vital part of the game will be whether the Volunteers can protect their quarterback from Alabama’s hungry defense. It averages the 14th-most sacks in the nation with 3.1 per game. Tennessee could put the Crimson Tide away early, because the Volunteers are one of the worst in the country in scoring defense for the fourth quarter. So far this year, they’ve given up an average of 9.3 fourth-quarter points. On special teams, Alabama has some playmakers. They average 142.9 return yards per game, fifth in Division I.
Across the field, the Volunteers have a record of 3-3 for both ATS and SU. The Volunteers like to keep the ball on the ground. On average, they run 48.3 times per game. The Tennessee pass defense has given teams headaches during the past five games. During that time, opponents have gained an average of only 211.6 passing yards against this scary unit. Special teams usually provides a spark for Tennessee. They average the second-most return yards in the nation with 152.8.
Predictions: SU Winner – Alabama, ATS Winner – Alabama
Notes
Alabama is 7-15-1 ATS in its last 23 games.
Alabama is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Alabama’s last 6 games.
Alabama is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home.
Alabama is 21-3 SU in its last 24 games at home.
Alabama is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tennessee.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Alabama’s last 5 games when playing Tennessee.
Alabama is 3-6-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Tennessee.
Tennessee is 2-2 SU when leading at the half this season. Alabama is 5-0 SU when taking a lead into halftime.
Dating back to last year, Alabama is 11-2 SU against SEC opponents, while Tennessee is just 4-7 SU against conference foes.
The Alabama rushing attack is ranked 34th nationally, compared to the 73rd-ranked run defense of Tennessee.
