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Tennessee at Alabama NCAAF Odds & Pick for Week 8

Tennessee at Alabama NCAAF Odds & Pick for Week 8

Written by on October 18, 2017

NCAAF News and Betting Previews| Xbet.ag
There was a time when Tennessee fans looked at this date on the calendar and thought, at long last, that the Volunteers would be able to make a statement in the SEC by giving the Crimson Tide a run for their money — or maybe even pulling off a huge road win. After losing at home to South Carolina last week by a 15-9 score, though, Tennessee fans have to be wondering if they will even score on this game. The Volunteers come in with a 3-3 record and having just covered the spread once, while the Crimson Tide are 7-0 and look to be cruising to another College Football Playoff slot. Take a look at our NCAAF odds & preview before you lock in a wager on this game.

Tennessee at Alabama NCAAF Odds & Pick for Week 8

When: Saturday, October 21, 2017, 3:30pm ET Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL TV: CBS Radio: Vols Sports Network (Tennessee) / 102.7 FM (Alabama) Live Stream: CBSSports.com NCAAF Odds: Alabama (-34), O/U 50

Weather Forecast

  • Mostly Cloudy: 27°C/80°F
  • Humidity: 61%
  • Precipitation: 0%
  • Wind: 9 mph SE
  • Cloud Cover: 73%
  • Type of Stadium: Open

Why should you bet on the Crimson Tide?

Alabama didn’t even look like they had to work that hard against Arkansas, but they still won by a 41-9 final score. Jalen Hurts wasn’t spectacular, going 12 for 19 for 155 yards with a score and a pick, but tailback Damien Harris did look outstanding, running for a 75-yard score on the game’s first play. Calvin Ridley caught four passes for 51 yards. The most impressive factor for this Crimson Tide offense is the balance they show, and the ease with which they move the ball. Tennessee has a better defense than Arkansas does, but I’m not sure it’s enough to make much of a dent into the Tide attack. The Alabama defense limited Arkansas to 27 yards on the ground and 227 overall. That front seven is so fast and physical that running on them is just about impossible. Given the fact that Tennessee struggled to move the ball against South Carolina and, even in Week Eight, remains unsettled as to which quarterback they will start, this should be a relatively easy day for the Alabama defense.

Why should you put your money on the Volunteers?

Tennessee started freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano over Quinten Dormado, and Guarantano was serviceable, going 11 for 18 for 133 yards, but he didn’t have a touchdown pass. Dormady has not been able to move the ball consistently, and Tennessee has not announced which quarterback will start against the Tide. Tailback John Kelly ran the ball 16 times for just 58 yards. If your offense is stagnant against the likes of South Carolina, you could be in real trouble against a team like Alabama. Are the Vols a safe bet in Week 8? The Volunteers do play stout defense. South Carolina only gained 323 yards on the day and only averaged 5.4 yards per pass completion. That secondary does smother opposing offenses, and when they do give up receptions they minimize yards after the catch. However, the front seven has proven to be somewhat porous, as teams are able to run the ball basically at will. With an 0-3 SEC record and with a likely rout coming, though, one wonders how long the Volunteers’ defensive effort will last against Alabama. After a while, the discouragement of going three-and-out on offense can wear away at a defense’s will and stamina.

Latest NCAAF Odds Trends

 
  • Tennessee is 1-5 ATS in the last 6 games
  • Tennessee is 18-7 SU in the last 25 games
  • The total went OVER in 4 of Tennessee’s last 6 games on the road
  • Alabama is 2-4 ATS in the last 6 games
  • Alabama is 5-0 SU in the last 5 games
  • The total went UNDER in 10 of Alabama’s last 14 games at home
 

Expert Pick and Final Score Prediction

I was a big fan of the youth movement in Tennessee at the start of the 2016 season. However, over the last season and a half, they have yet to show that they are ready to contend even in the SEC East, let alone against the titans of the SEC West. I don’t see this game going well for the Volunteers, as Alabama comes out to make another statement on their College Football Playoff resume. I predict a final score of Alabama 48, Tennessee 6. If anyone in the SEC is going to challenge Alabama this season, it is not going to be the Volunteers.
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