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<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n\n\nAlabama vs Tennessee Key Matchups and Handicap<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nAlabama Regroups After First Loss<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Alabama suffered its first loss of the season last week against Georgia. The defeat stings, but from a power rating perspective, the Crimson Tide went toe-to-toe with the team now widely viewed as the championship favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The bigger concern is personnel. Star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is not expected to play after suffering a head injury against Georgia. Quarterback Keelon Russell has played very well this season, but it is easy to forget that he is just 19 years old and making only his seventh career college start. Georgia sacked him four times last week, and losing his top target only makes his job harder.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tennessee's Quarterback Question<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tennessee has won back-to-back games over Auburn and Arkansas after losing to Texas in Week 4. Head coach Josh Heupel is leaving the door open for freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon to return this week. Brandon battled some early-season struggles and did not play in the win over Arkansas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
His replacement, George MacIntyre, threw two interceptions against the Razorbacks before leading the game-winning touchdown drive with under two minutes remaining. More clarity on Tennessee's quarterback plans would be ideal, but the Vols do not need a perfect quarterback performance to stay competitive in this matchup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Vols Defense Thriving Under Jim Knowles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles is pushing all the right buttons in Knoxville. Tennessee's last four games have all stayed under the total, and this defense is good enough to keep this game close. Facing a young quarterback who was just sacked four times and is missing his top receiver, Knowles should have plenty of options to make life uncomfortable for Alabama's offense.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The market price also stands out. Tennessee closed as a 5.5-point home underdog to Texas three weeks ago, and now the Vols are catching a bigger number against an Alabama team without its best receiver. That adjustment looks like an overreaction to one-sided public betting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
ALA vs TENN Betting Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nALA vs TENN Key Injuries and Notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nAlabama vs Tennessee ATS and Total Picks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\nTennessee +8.5 Spread Pick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The market has pushed Alabama through the key number on one-sided public action, and the result is a number that looks too high. Tennessee's defense is playing well, Alabama is without its top receiver and the Crimson Tide's young quarterback just took four sacks. This rivalry has also been unpredictable, with the losing team out-gaining the winner in three of the last four meetings. Even with the uncertainty at quarterback, the Vols' defense is good enough to keep this within a touchdown.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nALA vs TENN Under Pick<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n
The total has fallen five points despite most of the betting support landing on the over, a clear sign that respected money sees a lower-scoring game. Tennessee's last four games have stayed under, Alabama is missing its best receiver and both offenses have questions at quarterback, whether it is Tennessee's starter or Alabama's pass protection. Knowles' defense should keep this game in a range where the under cashes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nAlabama vs Tennessee Best Bets<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\nTennessee with the points is the strongest play. The line has climbed two full points on public money, and the Vols' defense is built to keep this close. Alabama remains the more likely outright winner, but the margin should be tighter than the spread suggests. The under rounds out the card thanks to a sharp five-point drop and Tennessee's run of low-scoring games.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Final Score Prediction for Alabama vs Tennessee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Tennessee's defense pressures Keelon Russell all afternoon, and Alabama's passing game struggles to find a rhythm without Ryan Coleman-Williams. The Vols' offense has its ups and downs, but it makes enough plays to stay in the game until the end. Alabama escapes with a narrow win, while Tennessee covers in another tight and chaotic chapter of this rivalry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
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