College Football Picks: Tennessee vs Alabama Best Bets
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Welcome to Week Eight, or as it is known in this long-storied rivalry, The Third Saturday in October. Alabama and Tennessee meet for the 107th time, with the Crimson Tide holding the advantage in the matchup with a record of 59-40-7. In 2022, the Vols broke a 15-year losing streak to the Crimson Tide and have since won two of the last three matchups.
Much like the previous three bouts between these two familiar foes, Tennessee and Alabama both come in ranked in the top-15 with playoff hopes hanging in the balance. After winning this game a year ago, the Vols went on to appear in their first College Football Playoff, while Alabama did the same a year prior, while also taking home the SEC Championship.
This year, both teams enter the week with a record of 5-1. The Vols ranked at #11 had their lone loss come in week three in an overtime thriller against Georgia . The Crimson Tide ranked at #6 had their lone loss come against Florida State in week one and have since won five straight including a current streak of three straight wins over ranked opponents.
Tennessee vs Alabama Betting Odds for Week 8
Spread: Tennessee +8.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook); Alabama -8.5 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
Moneyline: Tennessee +270 (DraftKings Sportsbook); Alabama -300 (FanDuel Sportsbook)
Total: Over 58.5 (BetMGM); Under 59.5 (ESPNBet)
Tennessee vs Alabama Betting Picks for Week 8
Tennessee comes into the week with one of the top offenses in college football. The Vols rank fourth in the nation in total offense, averaging 527.8 yards per game. Tennessee's offense also leads the country in scoring, averaging 48.2 points per game. The Vols' explosive offense is led by the SEC's leading passer Joey Aguilar. The transfer QB has racked up 1,680 yards passing with 16 touchdowns and five interceptions. Complementing Aguilar is the SEC's fifth-leading rusher in DeSean Bishop, who has accumulated 480 yards rushing and five touchdowns on the year. The Vols offense also features three of the SEC's top 10 receivers in Chris Brazzell, Braylon Staley, and Mike Matthews. The trio has combined for 1,383 yards receiving and 11 touchdowns on the season.
Tennessee's defense has been the polar opposite of its offense on the season. The Vols come in ranked third to last in the SEC in total defense, allowing 393.8 yards per game and second to last in points per game, allowing 29.3 on average. The Tennessee defense is also dead last in the SEC in passing defense, as they allow 257.8 yards per game through the air. However, the Volunteers' defense is first in the SEC in sacks with three players in the top-10. Tyre West and Joshua Josephs tie for the lead for the trio of Vols with 4.0 sacks while Dominic Bailey is just behind them at 3.5.
Alabama's offense has been very solid on the season but hasn't quite put up the numbers of the Volunteers. The Crimson Tide rank seventh in the SEC in total offense and sixth in scoring offense averaging 431 yards per game and 34.8 points per game. The Crimson Tide offense is led by senior quarterback Ty Simpson who is second in the SEC in passing, just behind Aguilar. Simpson has accumulated 1,678 passing yards with 16 touchdowns and just one interception. The Alabama ground attack has been less than stellar on the year however, they got a big lift a few weeks ago with the return of senior running back Jam Miller. Miller has added a much needed spark to a stagnant running game. After leaving last week's game against Missouri with a concussion, his status for this week has been up in the air however, as of Thursday the Crimson Tide have upgraded his availability status to probable for Saturday.
Unlike the Volunteers, the Alabama defense has been a strength for the team. The Crimson Tide defense ranks fourth in the SEC in total defense and second in the SEC in passing defense, allowing an average of 292.3 total yards per game and 135.7 passing yards per game.
Tennessee vs Alabama Expert Pick: Tennessee +8.5 (DraftKings Sportsbook)
Tennessee vs Alabama Predictions for Week 8
The line feels a little high in this one. With the explosive nature of the Tennessee offense, I would expect them to put up some points on a few busted coverages created by the formidable running game opening things up for the SEC's leading passer. Tennessee's league-leading sack defense should also be able to get home for a few sacks to get the defense off the field. Alabama is a more well-rounded team here and should come out on top but I expect this one to stay closer than the 8.5 point spread.
Alabama 37, Tennessee 31
Tennessee vs Alabama Player Props for Saturday, October, 18th
Isaiah Horton Over .5 TDs
With the up-tempo pace and high efficiency of the Tennessee offense, I would expect Alabama to try to use the clock and sustain long drives, especially to open up the game. Horton being the largest of Alabama's trio of top receivers has made him a major target in the red zone.
