All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football: Vols, SEC and top 25 picks and bets for Week 8 of 2021

By Caleb Calhoun

May 21, 2020; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view at the main entrance of Bryant-Denny Stadium announcing the remodel underway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
May 21, 2020; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view at the main entrance of Bryant-Denny Stadium announcing the remodel underway. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
6 of 6
Next
Sep 16, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

4-3 (2-2). 839. Tuscaloosa, Ala.. 6-1 (3-1). Saturday, Oct. 23. 829. ESPN. 7 p.m. ET

Gambling odds according to WynnBET:

  • Line: Alabama -25
  • Over/Under: 67.5
  • Moneyline: Alabama -4000; Tennessee +1400

This series has always been streaky, but the Third Saturday in October has truly lost its luster the past decade. Nick Saban has won all 14 matchups with Tennessee football since joining Alabama in 2007, and only two of them have been within one possession.

Saturday’s matchup has many expecting more of the same. Alabama comes into this game ranked No. 4 in both polls. The Tide took their anger out on Mississippi State last week after their loss to Texas A&M the week before, and conventional wisdom is that they always get back on a roll after an early season loss. They still control their own destiny for everything they want to do.

On the other side, Tennessee football is still dealing with the national embarrassment of fans throwing bottles on the field last week in their 31-26 heartbreaking loss to Ole Miss. The Vols are banged up and desperately need a bye. Unfortunately for the, they have to face Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium first.

Prediction

After sitting out last week, Tiyon Evans should be ready to go for UT. The same is true for Cooper Mays. If Cade Mays and Hendon Hooker can then go, then the Vols’ full rushing attack will be on display, enough for us to say don’t bet on Alabama covering. I’m taking that chance and picking the Vols to cover. With their full offense, the game hits the over as well. In fact…

I’m doing the crazy thing. Yes, it’s time for one insane pick a year, and this is mine. Alabama still hasn’t proven it can handle success, Josh Heupel has beaten Nick Saban once before, and Rocky Top, if healthy, matches up perfectly with them.

All the rules say Saban doesn’t lose games like this, but his hot streak has to end at some point, right? Why not this year, when Alabama just hasn’t seemed like Alabama, even in wins, outside of a couple hot start?

dark. Next. Tennessee-Alabama: 10 keys to the game

Let’s not forget that Tennessee football gets hot starts too. By nature of doing that, the Vols will shock them and keep this close at the start of the second half. Alabama has shown it isn’t great at handling close contests. As a result, the Vols pull off the shocker. I need the money back I’ve lost on the moneyline. This is where I get it all to return. UT gets its biggest upset in over a decade.

Tennessee: 38 Alabama: 37 (Tennessee +25; Over 67.5)

WynnBET Promo: Bet $1, Win $100 if any NFL or college football team scores. Claim offer now.

Home/Vols Football