Tennessee football, SEC, top 25 picks and bets for Week 7 of 2022
Gambling odds according to WynnBET
- Line: Alabama -7.5
- Over/Under: 65.5
- Moneyline: Alabama -295; Tennessee +237
There are all of these games this week across the country with incredible implications, and somehow Tennessee football and Alabama is the game of the week. When has that ever been the case? Even when the Vols were great, the Tide were down, so this is crazy to see.
UT comes into this matchup ranked No. 6 in the AP Poll and No. 8 in the Coaches Poll. It’s the highest combined ranking for the Vols in both polls since September of 2005. If they can win this game, then they might have punched their ticket to the College Football Playoff, even if it has no SEC East implications.
On the other side, Alabama comes into this game more disrespected than they’ve ever been. They remain No. 1 in the Coaches Poll but No. 3 in the AP Poll. Nick Saban’s team had to survive Texas A&M, they have struggled on the road lots of times dating back to last year, and there are questions surrounding Bryce Young’s health.
College GameDay is coming to town, and this is the highest combined ranked in the history of this series. It’s the first top 10 matchup for them since 1999 and the first time both teams are undefeated while facing off since 1989. Simply put, this game is as exciting as ever.
Prediction
Will it happen? Could the Vols finally end their 15-game losing streak in the series? Sadly, no. Young appears as if he’s going to play, and UT has too many issues in the secondary. Cedric Tillman being banged up, whether or not he plays, is also a drawback.
The only way Alabama loses is with a series of mistakes caused by them overlooking a foe. All the talk this week means they won’t overlook Tennessee football, and sorry, but Nick Saban still has way more talent than Josh Heupel. As a result, the Tide will not only win; they will dominate.
Last year’s blowout win at LSU was a bit of a fluke, as a series of early LSU mistakes broke that open. UT will need that plus Heupel’s brilliant scheming against Saban’s inferior coordinators to win. The latter won’t be enough because the former won’t happen. Alabama shuts down the Vols’ offense with a dominant pass rush, so the game hits the under, but they score enough to cover.
Alabama: 35 Tennessee: 21 (Alabama -7.5; Under 65.5)