The picks are in.
Gameday has arrived. Many are saying this is an elimination game between Tennessee and Alabama — they might be right. Both sides need this badly to keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Both teams are struggling entering this one, who can bounce back and get their season on track? Our predictions are below.
Terry Lambert: Alabama 27, Tennessee 20
What a different feel this one has to it. No Nick Saban, Alabama coming off of a loss to Vanderbilt and a scare against South Carolina — you’d feel pretty good about things as a Tennessee fan if the Volunteer offense hadn’t fallen apart over the last two weeks.
Tennessee and Alabama have oddly mirrored each other this year with hot starts and two-game cold snaps. The Crimson Tide beat Georgia in a thriller and Tennessee disposed of Oklahoma on the road. Since then? Well, both have moved to the CFP bubble after looking like locks.
What happens next? That’s a difficult question to answer, but I’ve got to go with the more consistent offense. Tennessee has gotten off to terrible starts in back-to-back weeks. They’ve struggled to score even 20 points against middle-of-the-road SEC teams. I think Alabama gets theirs and frankly I just don’t have faith that this Tennessee offense can keep pace, despite their elite defense.
It’s going to take turnovers and a handful of explosive offensive plays for the Vols to pull this one off. I think ‘Bama does just enough to hold them off.
Craig Smith: Tennessee 31, Alabama 30
This just has a feel to it. Based on what the Vols’ offense has put on the field lately, it’s a feel that goes against that flow, but I just think Tennessee’s passing offense is better than what we’ve seen the last couple of weeks.
Alabama will have success through the air against the Vols’ defense that we haven’t seen this year. Jalen Milroe and Ryan Williams are simply too good, far better than anyone else Tennessee has faced. That will be evident on Saturday in a game of few punts.
However, the Alabama secondary will be accommodating, as the Vols finally connect on some of those deeper passes where the timing has been off.
Not quite as points heavy as 2022, but a fun back and forth game that ends on a very high note for the home crowd.
Matthew Seese: Alabama 30, Tennessee 17
Something is up with Tennessee’s offense, and I’m not sure this is the game that fixes it. From getting run plays blown up over center to missed passes down the field, it’s been the same struggles on repeat for three weeks now.
Alabama is a very good team coming off a noon game that came after their most embarrassing loss since Saban fell to ULM. This isn’t your father’s Alabama, but it’s still among the three or four best teams in the country, and I don’t believe Tennessee is.
A close game late becomes a cozy two possession win down the stretch.
Connor Sexton: Alabama 24, Tennessee 20
The Third Saturday in October is here. The circumstances are a bit different than most expected. The Vols have kinks to still figure out. Decision-making hasn’t been there lately. Holding penalties have crushed promising drives. Nico has been sacked 10 times total in the past three games. In terrible timing, Keenan Pili is out for the year (again).
Tennessee must contain a familiar foe. Jalen Milroe has 319 rushing yards on 77 carries so far this season. One weakness, however, is pressure from the defensive line- as seen against Vanderbilt and South Carolina. At the same time, there is a worry that Milroe avoids pressure and hits open recievers, taking advantage of Tennessee’s young corners.
One area Tennessee must continue to do well is red zone defense. The Vols are 6th in the FBS, only giving up six touchdowns so far in that area. Dylan Sampson continues to be the superhero for the hometown Vols. The rushing attack must continue to do well and burn the clock and keep the Alabama offense off the field. Tennessee simply must execute. Hit open recievers, hold on to the ball, get to the quarterback, and limit pentalties. Can they do it?
This game could go either way, depending on who makes the biggest plays. Tennessee has the potential to ramp things back to up to like we are used to seeing. I’m just not sure it happens this Saturday. Regardless, I expect the Vols to play hard and give themselves a chance to win. Let’s see what happens.