Not even the coronavirus could stop Nick Saban from coaching the Alabama Crimson Tide to a win last week against the Georgia Bulldogs. Can Alabama keep it going when they pay the Tennessee Volunteers a visit in Week 8? Or will the Crimson Tide get a shock at the hands of the hosts in Knoxville?
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Betting Preview for the Alabama Crimson Tide vs Tennessee Volunteers NCAA Week 8 College Football Game on October 24, 2020
Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
When: Saturday, October 24, 2020, 3:30 PM ET
Line: Alabama Crimson Tide (-19.5) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (+19.5) – view all 2020 NCAAF lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Alabama Crimson Tide (-19.5)
Record: 4-0 Overall / 4-0 Conference
Mac Jones and the Crimson Tide’s offense respect no one. Not even the Georgia Bulldogs’ defense that entered Week 7 of the season as among the best in the nation. Alabama defeated the Bulldogs over the weekend in Tuscaloosa to the tune of a 41-24 score, with Jones barely having any trouble under center. Jones passed for 417 passing yards and four touchdowns against just an interception on 23-of-32 completions. Tennessee’s pass defense, statistically, is among the best in the SEC, but if Georgia’s defense couldn’t do anything about the Alabama tandem of wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, what’s there to stop the two from torching the Vols’ secondary? Add into the mix John Metchie, who’s another incredibly talented Alabama receiver. Each of those receivers has at least 340 receiving yards and three touchdowns, so far this season. Alabama just has so many weapons on offense for Tennessee to contain altogether.
The over is 4-0 in Alabama’s last four games overall.
Betting on the Tennessee Volunteers (+19.5)
Record: 2-2 Overall / 2-2 Conference
Tennessee is coming off a 34-7 home loss to the Kentuck Wildcats, which was the Volts’ second loss in a row. Quarterback play was poor in that game for the Vols, as Jarrett Guarantano and JT Shrout combined for three interceptions, with two getting returned for touchdowns by the Wildcats. Despite the bad aerial show, the Volunteers had things going for them on the ground. Running back Eric Gray had 128 rushing yards on 24 carries, while Ty Chandler had 51 rushing yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. Alabama can score in bunches on its own possessions, so Tennessee can’t afford to give the Crimson Tide any more extra time with the ball. Cutting down on errors and pressuring Alabama’s Jones in the pocket will key for Tennessee. Jones was sacked three times last week by Georgia, showing that the Crimson Tide’s offensive line isn’t that sturdy. That’s music to the ears of Tennessee senior linebacker Deandre Johnson, who is second in the SEC with 3.5 sacks. As a team, the Vols are second in the conference with 11.0 sacks.
Tennessee is 5-4-1 against the spread in its last 10 games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
Alabama wins, 43-23.
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