Tennessee football: Vols, SEC, top 25 predictions for Week Two of 2019

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 15: A view of the inside of Neyland Stadium during a game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers on September 15, 2012 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Sommers II/Getty Images) /
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Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images /

New Mexico State Aggies at No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide

TV: SEC Network; Line: Alabama -55.5; Over/Under: 64

Saturday, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m. E.T.; Bryant-Denny Stadium; Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Once again, the Alabama Crimson Tide are scary good. Last week, we had the Duke Blue Devils covering that 35-point spread because of our faith in David Cutcliffe. And he actually forced Bama into a lot of mistakes in the first half. But that juggernaut of an offense still managed to cover with a 42-3 win after Tua Tagovailoa got red-hot.

So we were wrong to bet against Alabama then. Now, the New Mexico State Aggies come to town. This is an awful team that went 3-9 and just lost to Mike Leach and the Washington State Cougars 58-7. So it seems like an obvious decision to bet on Bama to put up tons of points and cover whatever spread exists, right?

Well, that spread is now at 55.5 points. And the over/under is 64. That means Vegas has Alabama ushering in total dominance in this game like we’ve never seen on both sides of the ball. And the questions is if we can bet on them doing that. One thing’s for sure, what Leach did to New Mexico State really has Vol fans wishing Tennessee football hired him now after last week.

Prediction

In order for Alabama to cover and this game to hit the over, the Tide need to likely surpass 60 points. Nick Saban hasn’t done that in a non-conference game since 2010, against the Duke Blue Devils and Georgia State Panthers. Sorry, but this all seems like too much. As dominant as Bama will be, they will call off the dogs and not cover. But the game will hit the over.

Alabama: 59 New Mexico State: 7 (New Mexico State +55.5; Over 64)