CFB Betting – Alabama Crimson Tide at Tennessee Volunteers
If anybody still doubted the Alabama Crimson Tide, last week’s spanking of Georgia should put them at ease. Trailing at halftime against one of the top defensive units in the country, the Tide pulled away in the second half for a convincing 41-24 payout victory while improving to 4-0. This week the Tide heads to Knoxville for a showdown with the Tennessee Volunteers, who dropped to 2-2 following a pair of big losses. If the Vols are to end a 13-game losing streak in the series they’ll have to pull off a huge upset. Alabama is positioned as a three-touchdown favorite on the current college football betting line. Bookmaker is offering a generous welcome bonus (max bonus $1600).
Alabama Crimson Tide at Tennessee Volunteers
Date and Time: Saturday, October 24, 2020, 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
CFB Odds: Alabama -21, O/U 66
Alabama at Tennessee TV Coverage: CBS
Odds Analysis
Recent form suggests another big Bama victory and the public is jumping all over the Tide. Early action on the visitors pushed the line up a full point after hitting the board at -20. Tennessee’s defense has been shaky allowing a total 78 points in losses to Georgia and Kentucky. The total spiked to 66 after hitting the board at 62.5. The Vols were manhandled by the Wildcats last week, 34-7, as a 6.5-point favorite. They’ve dropped their last two against the line and are now 1-2-1 ATS. Huge spreads are nothing new for the Tide. Should the line hold they’ll be laying at least 20 points for the third time. They are 0-2 ATS in the previous two. If you like offense, Alabama is must-see. They have the nation’s second highest scoring team and allow nearly 29 points per game. Bama has cashed the over in all four games.
Alabama Crimson Tide
The key to Alabama’s success is simple: Have Mac Jones get the ball in the hands of his playmakers and let them go to work. With Jones in charge the Tide hasn’t slipped from the gun-slinging days of Tua Tagovailoa, and they might actually be better if that’s possible. Jones has the second-best completion percentage in the FBS at 78.3 and his passer rating is tops among all qualified players. So, he’s doing something right.
There’s always a chance for a letdown after a big win over the No. 3 ranked team in the country. Bama overcame a 24-20 halftime deficit with its much-maligned defense pitching a shutout over the final two quarters to secure the victory. Nick Saban is doing his best to make sure complacency doesn’t set in.”It’s really important that our players have humility. This game means a lot to people in the state of Alabama, and I’m sure we’re going to get the best version of Tennessee’s team because it’s a rivalry game,” he said.
After getting scorched for 647 yards and 48 points by Ole Miss, the defense decided to make a stand. It took a half, but the group finally showed up blanking UGA over the final two quarters while intercepting three passes. Bama has multiple takeaways in three of four games and will try and disrupt a shaky Vols offense that has committed seven turnovers in the last two contests.
Tennessee Volunteers
Getting whacked by a combined score of 78-28 by Kentucky and Georgia, all the promise of that 2-0 start is now turning to fear, especially with the Tide paying a visit to Neyland Stadium. Tennessee has never beaten Alabama with Saban at the helm dropping all 13 games and most of them haven’t been close. If the Vols want to keep this one tight they better start valuing the football.
The Vols coughed it up seven times in the last two games. And to be more specific all the turnovers came in the last six quarters with three them resulting in opponent scores. Poor Jarrett Guarantano just can’t catch a break. The whipping boy for a frustrated fan base has done nothing to help himself the last two games. A sack-fumble was returned for a score by Georgia and Guarantano tossed consecutive pick-sixes in the first quarter to Kentucky. As of now he’s still the starter.
The team did make changes, though, firing defensive line coach and co-coordinator Jimmy Brumbaugh after the Vols’ first home loss to Kentucky in nearly four decades. The Vols give up almost 150 yards per game on the ground and surrendered 380 yards the last two games. Those are inviting figures for Najee Harris, who averages 124.8 yards with a FBS-best 11 rushing touchdowns.
Bet Alabama at Tennessee at BookMaker.eu
Tennessee needs to play a perfect game and get plenty of help from Alabama to win this one. Being a rivalry should be inspiring, but that goes both ways. The Tide just have too many weapons, and if Georgia’s defense can get riddled for 564 yards the Vols don’t stand a chance. Even though the spread is up there I have to back the visitors.
CFB Score Prediction: Alabama 48, Tennessee 24
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- Phil Simon, Gambling911.com
