The Tennessee Volunteers have been a part of some of the wildest games in college football. They beat Georgia on a last-second Hail Mary two games ago before losing to Texas A&M in double-overtime last time out. They would love to take the Alabama Crimson Tide to the wire in Week 7, but that won’t be an easy task.
Alabama is the top-ranked team in the country and a sizable road favorite. The Crimson Tide are undefeated and marching toward another College Football Playoff berth and a win will get them one step closer. Tennessee has only lost once but is not in the same stratosphere as Alabama.
This matchup in Week 7 of the regular season will take place on Saturday, October 15, 2016, at 3:30 p.m. ET at Neyland Stadium.
College Football Odds at BookMaker.eu
Alabama -17
Tennessee +17
Over/Under 58.5
Odds Analysis
Alabama is not only a heavy favorite, but the bettors are jumping on them at this spread. The Crimson Tide is garnering nearly 70 percent of the betting action as most believe they will roll to the win.
The scoring total could be a touch high because of Alabama’s defense, and 75 percent of the early money is taking the “under” as the correct call in this one.
Key stat
11. Alabama is ranked in the top-11 nationally in both points scored and points allowed, a rare and impressive feat which illustrates the team’s dominance on both sides of the ball.
The Crimson Tide are averaging 44.8 points per game and putting up 489.8 yards of total offense. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has completed 97-of-152 passes for 1,242 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions.
HIs leading target is wideout Calvin Ridley, who has caught 34 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns. Running back Damien Harris has 55 rushes for 478 yards and a score as the main cog on the ground.
Alabama’s defense is giving up only 15.8 points per game. The Crimson Tide has been especially stingy against the run, giving up only 69.2 yards per game on the ground.
Player to Watch
Joshua Dobbs - The Volunteers can only make a run at pulling the upset if their quarterback plays well. Dobbs has completed 105-of-180 passes for 1,433 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
He is in his fourth season getting significant experience, so facing a tough team won’t rattle Dobbs. However, the pure talent on the other side of the ball will make life hard on him.
Dobbs threw for 398 yards and a touchdown but also two interceptions last time out against Texas A&M.
The Alabama defense hopes to get after him consistently. The Crimson Tide has a very good pass rush. It has been led by Ryan Anderson, who has 4.5 sacks and a pair of forced fumbles on the season. Jonathan Allen has added four sacks, while several others have also gotten to the quarterback in previous games.
Free ATS Pick
Even though Tennessee is 5-1 and has wins over Florida and Georgia, it is not quite on the level of a force like Alabama. The home field advantage is important and the Volunteers could stick around early, but eventually the Crimson Tide’s superiority will be evident.
Alabama doesn’t always hit full throttle early, but before you know it the team takes a double-digit lead. When facing a team like Tennessee, winning by two touchdowns isn’t easy, but this is a special group.
Alabama will again make its claim as the best team in the country with a convincing road win against a good-but-not-great Tennessee team. Alabama has shown all of those defections to the NFL aren’t concerning because it just keeps reloading. Take the Crimson Tide to cover and the “under” on the scoring total.
College Football Odds: Alabama 34, Tennessee 19
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