After a close loss to Georgia, Alabama didn’t drop in the Coaches Poll Rankings, hanging in at number 7. Essentially, Alabama proved they belong with the elite teams, with a resume boasting a win over the suddenly excellent Kentucky and a loss to #1 Georgia that could have gone either way.
The Tennessee Volunteers are similarly 5-1, but it took squeaking out tight wins over SEC bottom feeders Arkansas and Auburn. The Vols have generally played well on defense, but their offense has left a LOT to be
desired, with QB Faizon Brandon leading an anemic passing attack until he was injured, and backup George MacIntyre not doing any better. So they’re sitting put with a #15 ranking.
FanDuel’s sportsbook has the opening odds set to Alabama holding a -6.5 favorite over Tennessee, with an over/under of 55.5.
Tennessee
Week 1 – Beat Furman 56-9
Week 2 – Beat Georgia Tech 45-24
Week 3 – Beat Kennesaw State 42-9
Week 4 – Lost to Texas 17-20
Week 5 – Beat Auburn 24-14
Week 6 – Beat Arkansas 24-17
The Vols are averaging 22 points per game on offense and 17 points per game on defense in SEC play, with the biggest problem being that, for the season, they’re averaging only 187 passing yards per game (and that includes their three warm up games to start the season). Running back DeSean Bishop is still carrying the entire offense with 678 rushing yards.
Alabama
Week 1 – Beat East Carolina 48-10
Week 2 – Beat Kentucky 45-17
Week 3 – Beat Florida State 50-36
Week 4 – Beat South Carolina 49-18
Week 5 – Beat Mississippi State 56-23
Week 6 – Lost to Georgia 17-20
The Tide’s offense obliterated all of their first five foes, scoring 45+ in every single game despite having only a single cupcake game. Then Georgia happened, and the two elite squads turned the game into a low-possession, high-stakes contest (seriously, there were only 7 combined drives in the entire second half). The Alabama defense has had some struggles this year. They’ve been a playmaking defense, but they’ve also given up some downfield passes in almost every game, and then struggled with UGA’s rushing attack last week. Still, the held the Dogs to less than half of their usual offensive output.
Math
Alabama boasts a much better offense, but the two teams have likely equivalent defenses. However, the game will be at Neyland Stadium. Still, the 6.5 spread with a 55.5 OU has the prediction something like a 31-25 Crimson Tide victory.
How the Tide responds to a tough and disappointed loss in their clash with Georgia will be paramount, but I wouldn’t be surprised if this one winds up going under the 55.5 points. Something more like a 21-14 kind of game.
What do you think? Give us your thoughts in the comments below.
