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Tennessee football: Game by game predictions for 2021 season

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 22, 2018; Knoxville, TN, USA; Checkerboard end zone at Neyland Stadium before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and Florida Gators. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al entertains the fans before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2020; Orlando, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al entertains the fans before the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Camping World Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

59. 829. Prediction. 24. 839

Saturday, Oct. 23; Bryant-Denny Stadium; Tuscaloosa, Ala.

It doesn’t matter which head coach is leading Tennessee football. While the Vols have never failed to blow FCS opponents during this downward slide, they have also never managed to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide under Nick Saban. Only Lane Kiffin and Butch Jones came close in 2009 and 2015 respectively. Every other matchup between these two has been a blowout.

Look for more of the same this year. In fact, it may even get more brutal. We mentioned on the previous slide how the Ole Miss Rebels will be the Vols’ sixth straight game without a bye week. Well, the Alabama Crimson Tide will be their seventh straight game without a bye week.

As a result, this team will be banged up severely, and it’ll be a traditional Saban beatdown. What does that mean? Well, it explains how we got this score. Saban and co. will jump out to a 45-0 or 45-7 first-half lead, then he’ll call off the dogs in the second half.

At that point, Josh Heupel’s offense, which is still capable and will be much more adjusted to the system by this point, will be able to rack up some points to make this respectable. Okay, so we still have them losing by 35. Just count on Heupel to make sure his offense gets its points.

3-5 (1-4)

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