Let’s not beat around the bush college football bettors. The top-ranked and College Football odds favorite Alabama Crimson Tide have zero chance of losing to the mediocre Tennessee Volunteers when they stage their latest SEC showdown this coming Saturday. Having said that, the only ‘real’ question that needs to be answered when it comes to this Week 8 mismatch is whether or not the Tide can cover the college football betting line as a near, five-touchdown home favorite that represents the largest spread in the history of the rivalry.
Thanks to my expert analysis and accompanying free pick, you’re going to find out what’s likely to transpire when the Tide host the Vols on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 PM ET live from Bryant-Denny Stadium with this matchup airing on CBS. Now, let’s find out which team is going to cover the chalk.
The Volunteers haven’t scored a touchdown in the last 10 quarters, dating back to the second half of their uninspiring 17-13 win over Massachusetts in Week 4. Tennessee is ranked dead last in the SEC when it comes to big plays with just 19 plays this season longer than 20 yards. Conversely, Alabama has racked up 39 plays of 20 yards or more.
“We are missing plays,” Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said. “Not just on offense, but on defense and in special teams. Its overall one of the missing elements in the big plays.”
The Vols are averaging a discouraging 21.7 points per game to rank 108th nationally and just don’t have enough offensive firepower to win games consistently despite holding their opponents to a respectable 23.8 points per contest defensively.
College Football Odds & Preview for Alabama (7-0) vs. Tennessee (3-3) Week 8 Showdown
194 receptions for @CalvinRidley1 with plenty of games left to go – trying to catch @AmariCooper9‘s record#OutworkYesterday #RollTide pic.twitter.com/3NzlXmODeb
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) 18 de octubre de 2017
- When: Saturday, October 21, 2017, 3:30 PM ET
- Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium
- TV: CBS
- Radio: 102.9 FM (Alabama) / 106.5 FM (Tennessee)
- Live Stream: SEC Network
- College Football Odds: Alabama -35.5
- Total: 50.5
Weather Forecast
- Mostly Cloudy: 27°C/80°F
- Humidity: 61%
- Precipitation: 0%
- Cloud Cover: 73%
- Wind: 9 mph SE
- Stadium Type: Open
How to Bet on Auburn at Arkansas NCAAF Lines & Week 8 Prediction
Head to Head Statistics (Last 10 Games)
- Record: Alabama leads 10-0
- Score: Alabama 35.10 / Tennessee 11.90
- Rush Yards: Alabama 198.90 / Tennessee 101.50
- Pass Attempts: Alabama 29.00 / Tennessee 30.50
- Completion Percentage: Alabama 67.93 / Tennessee 54.75
- Passing Yards: Alabama 256.10 / Tennessee 178.20
- Total Yards: Alabama 279.7 / Tennessee 455
- Turnovers: Alabama 1.00 / Tennessee 1.50
Why consider the Crimson Tide College Football Odds?
The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (3-4 ATS) also had a bye last weekend but throttled Arkansas 41-9 in Week 6 to remain unbeaten and on track for another berth in the four-team College Football Playoff. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 155 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the win while rushing 10 times for 41 rushing yards and an additional touchdown. Running back Damien Harris rushed nine times for 125 yards and a pair of touchdowns against the Razorbacks in Alabama’s most recent blowout two weeks ago. Now, Saban is trying to convince everyone that Tennessee is a legitimate opponent despite the fact that the Tide has won 10 straight meetings, including last season’s 49-10 blowout in Knoxville no less. “It’s been very competitive,” Saban said at this week’s press conference. “I can remember two games we had here — one when we won the national championship — we had to block a field goal to win the game at the end of the game. The last time we played here, we had like a seven-point game or whatever. A very close game, right down to the end. So I think players get up for games because of the competition and maybe because of the games they’ve had with them in the past.” Alabama has outscored Tennessee 351-119 during Saban’s tenure with the Tide, yet, the now legendary head coach took exception with anyone thinking the outcome of this contest was a given. “I think you all, like always, you’re always looking for all these assumptions because they have issues, they have problems some kind of way,” Saban said. “Why can’t that be a motivating factor for them and they play their best game of the year? Y’all ever think about that?”Team Statistics
Offense- Average Score For: 42.71
- Total Yards: 484.86
- Rush Yards: 302.57
- Passing Yards: 182.29
- Average Score Against: 10.14
- Total Yards: 254.43
- Rush Yards: 66.86
- Passing Yards: 187.57
Why consider the Volunteers College Football Odds?
Tennessee (1-5 ATS) has dropped two straight in getting shutout by Georgia 41-0 in Week 5 and falling to South Carolina 15-9 in Week 6. The Vols got a bye last weekend, but that may not help much coming into this contest seeing as how they’ve struggled to score like crazy recently.
The Volunteers haven’t scored a touchdown in the last 10 quarters, dating back to the second half of their uninspiring 17-13 win over Massachusetts in Week 4. Tennessee is ranked dead last in the SEC when it comes to big plays with just 19 plays this season longer than 20 yards. Conversely, Alabama has racked up 39 plays of 20 yards or more.
“We are missing plays,” Tennessee head coach Butch Jones said. “Not just on offense, but on defense and in special teams. Its overall one of the missing elements in the big plays.”
The Vols are averaging a discouraging 21.7 points per game to rank 108th nationally and just don’t have enough offensive firepower to win games consistently despite holding their opponents to a respectable 23.8 points per contest defensively.
Team Statistics
Offense- Average Score For: 21.67
- Total Yards: 320
- Rush Yards: 134.67
- Passing Yards: 185.33
- Average Score Against: 23.83
- Total Yards: 372
- Rush Yards: 242.83
- Passing Yards: 129.17
