The Alabama Crimson Tide jumped to No. 4 in the AP Top 25 poll after their impressive 40-point win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Week 7. They will look to cement their standing in the top 4 this Saturday when they square off with the Tennessee Volunteers. Read our preview for a breakdown of this Tennessee vs Alabama game.
Tennessee Volunteers installed as +25 underdogs
The Tennessee Volunteers had their two-game winning streak snapped in Week 7, losing to No. 12 Ole Miss, 31-26. The Volunteers suffered a double black eye as they were fined $250,000 by the SEC following that loss after fans threw debris onto the field in reaction to a call in the fourth quarter.
The Volunteers have injury concerns ahead of their showdown against the Crimson Tide, with quarterback Hendon Hooker listed as day-to-day after injuring his right leg in the loss to the Rebels. Hooker has been superb for Tennessee this season, throwing 14 touchdown passes and running for another four scores. He currently owns a streak of 116 consecutive passes without a pick.
If Hooker fails to suit up for the game against Alabama, the Volunteers will turn to Joe Milton as their starting quarterback. He has not started a game since he left with an injury in Tennessee's loss to Pittsburgh.
It is important for the Volunteers that they put the clamps on Bryce Young. He was superb in the win against Mississippi State, throwing for 348 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. Young's mobility is a major concern for the Volunteers as they had difficulty stopping Matt Corral's running game in their last outing. Corral wreaked havoc against Tennessee's defensive line in Week 7, rushing for 195 yards.
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Alabama Crimson Tide enter Week 8 as -25 favorites
The Alabama Crimson Tide returned to the win column in Week 7 with a resounding 49-9 victory over the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium. It was a huge bounce-back win for the Crimson Tide, who suffered a gut-wrenching 41-38 loss to the Texas A&M Aggies the previous weekend. With the victory, Alabama improved its record this season to 6-1.
They will look to sustain the momentum of that huge win when they lock horns with the Tennessee Volunteers this coming Saturday. The Crimson Tide will fancy their chances of doing just that as they have fared extremely well against the Volunteers of late. Alabama has won its last 14 games against Tennessee.
The defense will once again be the key for Alabama in this matchup. The Crimson Tide recorded seven sacks against Mississippi State, four of which came from Will Anderson. This season, he has been a beast for Alabama, leading the SEC in tackles for loss with 15.
The Crimson Tide limited the Bulldogs to just three field goals as they held Mississippi State to -1 yards rushing. They ratcheted up their defensive intensity in the second half, with Alabama holding Mississippi State to just 99 total yards in the third and fourth quarters.
Writer's Prediction
Alabama wins and covers the spread.
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