No. 6 Alabama is hosting No. 11 Tennessee for a Week 8 matchup on Saturday night. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
The Crimson Tide are listed as 8.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 58.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for this SEC matchup between Tennessee and Alabama.
Tennessee vs. Alabama prediction, preview
Tennessee Preview
The Volunteers are playing one of their biggest games in recent memory this weekend. If Tennessee can win this game, it has a great chance of making it to the College Football Playoff. The only two ranked games left on the Volunteers’ schedule after this both come at home, and they would be favored in each of those games. After Nico Iamaleava left for UCLA unexpectedly late in the transfer cycle, it seemed like this could be a lost season for Tennessee. However, they have an explosive offense that can score with any team in the country. Josh Heupel proved he can beat Alabama by taking down the Tide in Knoxville last season. This would be taking it one step further if Heupel can beat Alabama in Tuscaloosa. If he is to do so, it needs to be a flawless game from quarterback Joey Aguilar. Aguilar can chuck it, but has also been prone to mistakes this season.
Alabama Preview
Alabama has been starting to look like a powerhouse in recent weeks. After an opening week loss to Florida State, the Crimson Tide have been on a roll. That was a tough spot for Ty Simpson’s first big start of his career on the road against the Seminoles. Simpson looked shaky in that game, but ever since, he has been arguably the best quarterback in the country. Simpson is a serious Heisman contender this season and his wide receiver duo of Germie Bernard and Ryan Williams is one of the best in the nation. Alabama has started to improve defensively as the season has gone on as well. Just like Tennessee, Alabama plays the rest of its big games at home this season. So, similarly to Tennessee, a win here would set the Crimson Tide on a strong path to the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff.
Tennessee vs. Alabama pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is the under 58.5. This is a scary under to bet, given both offenses are so capable of explosive plays. However, this could be the game where Alabama’s defense asserts itself as the real deal. Ever since that opening loss to Florida State, Alabama’s defense has been fantastic. Despite playing dangerous offenses like Missouri, Georgia and Vanderbilt, they have allowed just 14.6 points per game over those five games. The one way to attack Alabama’s defense is on the ground, something Tennessee has not been able to do consistently this season. Tennessee has had its struggles on defense, particularly against the run. Similarly to Tennessee, however, Alabama has struggled to run the ball this season. Both offenses lack the ability to exploit the opposing defense’s weakness. That should lead to a slow start to this game as both coaches work out the best way to attack. Alabama’s defense should perform all game, keeping this one under the high total.
