Alabama at Tennessee: 10/24/20 College Football Picks and Prediction
Photo by The Tuscaloosa News-USA TODAY Sports
Tennessee Volunteers (2-2) vs Alabama Crimson Tide (4-0)
Game Info: Saturday, October 24, 2020 at 3:30 pm (Neyland Stadium)
Betting Odds: Tennessee Volunteers +19.5 -- Over/Under: 64 Click Here for the Latest Odds
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The 2nd ranked Alabama Crimson Tide will travel to Neyland Stadium to take on the Tennessee Volunteers this Saturday afternoon in College Football action.
The 2nd ranked Alabama Crimson Tide improved to 4-0 (4-0 SEC) on the season after defeating the 3rd ranked Georgia Bulldogs, 41-24, this past Saturday. Alabama had all they could handle from Georgia in the 1st half and went into halftime trailing by a 24-20 margin, however, the Crimson Tide dominated the Bulldogs on both sides of the ball throughout the 2nd half and pulled away for victory after a 2-yard TD run by Najee Harris gave the Crimson Tide a 34-24 lead with :51 seconds left in the 3rd quarter. Alabama outgained Georgia by a 564-414 margin and won the turnover battle by a 3-1 margin in the victory. Leading the way for the Crimson Tide was QB Mac Jones who completed 24 of 32 passes for 417 yards, 4 TD, and 1 INT.
On the season, Alabama is averaging 48.5 ppg on 561.3 total yards per game (393.0 passing yds/g; 168.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Alabama has been led by RB Najee Harris who has 499 rushing yards & 11 TD’s on 83 carries. QB Mac Jones has completed 78.3% of his passes for 1,518 yards, 12 TD’s & 2 INT. The top receiving threats for Jones and the Crimson Tide have been Jaylen Waddle (25 rec, 557 yards, 4 TD), DeVonta Smith (38 rec, 483 yards, 4 TD), John Metchie III (14 rec, 348 yards, 3 TD), and Miller Forristall (8 rec, 102 yards, TD).
Defensively, Alabama is allowing their opponents to average 28.8 ppg on 458.3 total yards per game (309.0 passing yds/g; 149.3 rushing yds/g).
The Tennessee Volunteers lost their 2nd straight game and dropped to 2-2 (2-2 SEC) on the season after being defeated by the Kentucky Wildcats, 34-7, this past Saturday. Tennessee could not get anything going on the offense end at home against the Kentucky defense and could not fight back after the Wildcats took 24-7 lead midway through the 3rd quarter. Tennessee was outgained by Kentucky by a 294-287 margin and lost the turnover battle by a 4-1 margin in the loss. Leading the way for the Volunteers was RB Eric Gray who had 128 rushing yards on 24 carries.
On the season, Tennessee is averaging 23.5 ppg on 329.3 total yards per game (194.5 passing yds/g; 134.8 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Tennessee has been led by the backfield duo of Eric Gray (60 att, 298 yards, 2 TD) and Ty Chandler (52 att, 238 yards, 2 TD). QB Jarrett Guarantano has completed 63.1% of his passes for 752 yards, 4 TD & 3 INT. Top receiving threats for the Volunteers have been Josh Palmer (15 rec, 238 yards, 3 TD), Brandon Johnson (13 rec, 155 yards), Eric Gray (13 rec, 118 yards, TD), and Ramel Keyton (6 rec, 55 yards).
Defensively, Tennessee is allowing their opponents to average 29.3 ppg on 362.0 total yards per game (213.3 passing yds/g; 148.8 rushing yds/g).
The Crimson Tide are 2-2 ATS on the season and 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games in October. The Volunteers are 1-2-1 ATS on the season and just 8-18 ATS in their last 26 home games.
Alabama passed their biggest test of the season with a convincing victory agianst Georgia, especially as the Crimson Tide offense was able to put up 564 yards agianst an incredibly good defense. Tennessee came into this season with high hopes, however, the Volunteers have struggled over the last two weeks and it is concerning that the offense just does not seem to have many weapons outside of Eric Gray. The road team is 18-6-1 ATS in the last 25 meetings between these two teams and as I just do not see the Crimson Tide offense having trouble putting up points agianst the Tennessee, I’m taking Alabama to cover this double-digit road spread. Good Luck!
Brett’s Pick Alabama Crimson Tide -19.5
AUTHOR: Brett Nault
Mitch's Take...
