Alabama has flexed its muscles and is looking like a true national title contender once again. The further the one loss is behind them, the more it looks like a blip on the screen. It’s been eight years since Tennessee last celebrated a win over the Tide, and most of those games haven’t been close. The streak covers one of the darkest eras of UT football and some of the best in the Tides glorious history.
ODDS
Alabama opened as a 14-point favorite with the total at 56. The Tide has faced some large spreads due to their success and this game is no different. Bama is 0-4 ATS at home this season and 7-15-1 ATS in its last 23 games overall. The line was wagered to -15.5 while the total fell to 53.
KEY MISMATCH
Tide running back Derrick Henry is coming off a career game against a Texas AM defense that has been pretty solid for most of the season. Were the Aggies soft, or is Alabama’s rushing attack just getting better? In any case, Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin needs to call Henry’s number a lot against Tennessee. Is it possible for Henry to get in the Heisman discussion? It’s Leonard Fournette’s hardware to lose, but Henry showed off against the Aggies, scampering for 236 yards and two scores in the 41-23 win over the then-No. 9 team in the country. Henry may be the best back Tennessee faces all season. He needs touches and it’s hard to imagine he won’t produce. The Vols lost defensive tackle Shy Tuttle for the year with an ankle injury and true freshman Darrin Kirkland Jr. starts at middle linebacker. While the Vols have mostly been decent stopping the run, Arkansas imposed its will against them in the second half.
KEY STAT
32.7 – Alabama’s third-down conversion rate. One of the Tide’s weaknesses has been their inability to convert on third down. It hasn’t mattered much with their success on the first two downs. Tennessee allows opponent’s to convert 28.7 percent of the time on third down, the 15th best mark in the FBS.
BETTING ANGLE
Tennessee is improving under coach Butch Jones and the dark days of Vols football will be a thing of the past soon. Unfortunately, that time hasn’t come yet. The Vols just can’t seem to get their season going with heartbreaking losses to Oklahoma and Florida, and struggling late against Arkansas. The Vols haven’t had the first half that was expected, but the next half gets a whole lot easier after this. But even with a win over Bama, the East title is out of reach. Even so, a win over the Tide would be a huge boost for Jones and a program that’s trying to rebuild the powerhouse. It helps Tennessee that it finally won a game against one of its big three rivals when the Vols came from behind to beat Georgia. And it doesn’t hurt that UT had extra time to plan for the Tide. While Bama may be looking ahead to its showdown with LSU in two weeks, the Vols just aren’t ready to win a game against one of the nation’s best on the road. The game should be more competitive than the line suggests and could set the tone for a strong second half UT push.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Alabama is playing at another level since its loss to Ole Miss. The defense is phenomenal and produced three scores on interception returns in a thumping of Texas AM last week, making the No. 9 team in the country look quite ordinary. The power ground game with Henry running behind a mammoth offensive line has produced, taking the lone weakness – quarterback Jake Coker – out of the equation. Tennessee has nothing to lose and will come out balling. Dual-threat quarterback Joshua Dobbs could give Bama’s front some problems early creating opportunities, but the speed and athleticism of the defenders will catch up and eventually slow him and the Vols’ offense down. The Tide will continue to pound Henry, eventually taking control for the victory.
Alabama 33, Tennessee 21
The college football odds for this game were first available at BookMaker Sportsbook. The Crimson Tide were pegged as 14-point chalk while the total opened at 56. Minute-by-minute spreads, totals and props are available for this game using the live betting platform at BookMaker.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide will start at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, October 24, 2015, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
