The Crimson Tide travels to Knoxville for the annual third Saturday in October on Saturday at 2:30 PM CT on ABC in a matchup with a lot at stake.
The Crimson Tide is 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the SEC and there are serious playoff implications involved in this blockbuster. The Vols have 12 team playoff aspirations as well. They are 5-1 and 2-1. Both teams have struggled the last two weeks with Alabama getting upset by Vanderbilt, 40-35, on the road two weeks ago and just getting by South Carolina, 27-25, last Saturday in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee lost to Arkansas on the road two weeks ago on a Saturday Night in Fayetteville, 19-14, then edged the Florida Gators in overtime, 23-17, last Saturday Night in Knoxville.
So a lot on the line with close to 102,000 fans in attendance in a hostile environment for Jalen Milroe, Malachi Moore and the Crimson Tide. How will the team handle this pressure packed situation. Can Kalen DeBoar and his coaching staff help their team get over the top against an equally talented Tennessee team. I’ll delve into those scenarios shortly.
The No.5 Georgia Bulldogs invade Austin to take on the stellar Longhorns of Texas. And the Auburn Tigers will try to find some sort of momentum as they travel to CoMo to face the No. 19 Missouri Tigers, which had a cake walk last Saturday in a 45-3 victory over UMass. The Tigers were off as Hugh tries to turn this thing around.
Here’s a look at those three contests along with the rest of the SEC and national landscape along with projections.
Last Week: 11-5, Overall, 72-29, 71%; ATS, 8-6, 55-44, 56%.
All Times Central
Alabama @ Tennessee
Neyland Stadium, Knoxville
2:30 PM
ABC
Sean, Greg, Molly
Alabama by 3
Coach DeBoar has a weapon in Jalen Milroe, who is difficult to neutralize for the opposing defense. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes should be more heavily involved in the game plan. Comparing rosters, I like Alabama’s quarterback more, always a bonus; Tennessee’s running back, Dylan Sampson, may have a slight edge over Miller and Haynes, just because he gets the ball more. He’s rushed for 699 yards and 15 TDs. On the o lines, I will take Tennessee; and on the perimeter, it’s a wash. Defense goes to Tennessee. Special teams is a halve. Coaching, I’ll take Tennessee. With those factors and the Neyland Stadium crowd, I’ll go with the home team.
Tennessee 31, Alabama 28
Georgia @ Texas
Darrell K. Royal Stadium, Austin
6:30 PM
ABC
Chris, Kirk, Holly, Katie
Longhorns by 3 1/2
Even though they’ve won every game except for Alabama, Georgia has struggled. Texas is a machine. Give me Sark and Hook’em.
Texas 28, Georgia 24
Other SEC scores
Missouri 23, Auburn 20
Memorial Stadium, Columbia
11 AM CT
ESPN
Missouri by 4 1/2
Tigers keep it close, but just come up short.
No.8 LSU 35, Arkanas 31
Razorback Stadium, Fayetteville
6 PM
ESPN
LSU by 2 1/2
No. 14 Texas A&M 28, Mississippi State 21
Davis Wade Stadium, Starkville
3:15 PM
SEC Network
A&M by 15 1/2
Florida 17, Kentucky 14
Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville
6:45 PM
SEC Network
Kentucky by 1
South Carolina 20, Oklahoma 17
Memorial Stadium, Norman
11:45 AM
SEC Network
OU by 2 1/2
Vanderbilt 40, Ball State 20
FirstBank Stadium, Nashville
6 PM
ESPN+
Vandy by 26
Friday
No.2 Oregon 45, Purdue 28
Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, IN.
7 PM
FOX
Ducks by 27 1/2
Saturday
Louisville 34, No. 6 Miami 31
Louisville, KY, Stadium too taxing to write out.
11 AM
ESPN
Miami by 5
Friday
No. 13 BYU 34, Oklahoma State 30
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo, TUT
9:15 PM
ESPN
BYU by 9
Saturday
No. 10 Clemson 42, Virginia 17
Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C.
11 AM
ACC Network
Clemson by 21 1/2
No.9 Iowa State 31, UCF 14
Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, IA.
6:30 PM
Fox Sports 1
Cyclones by 14
No. 23 Army 42, East Carolina 21
Michie Stadium, West Point NY
11 AM
ESPN2
Army by 16
No. 25 Navy 42, Charlotte 20
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium
2:30 PM
CBS Sports Network
Navy by 17
Georgia Tech 35, No. 12 Notre Dame 34
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
2:30 PM
ESPN
Irish by 12 1/2
Jam Miller should be a key component in Alabama’s game plan in this writer’s opinion. (Photo Courtesy of Alabama Athletics).
14 Responses
Neyland stadium could be the difference in this game. I hope Bama can get it together and light up the cigars. Texas looks unbeatable but, I am not sure they can matriculate through the SEC schedule unblimished. Congrats on another big win for Vandy!
Thanks, Walter!
No arguments with those picks. Bama must stop the penalties and shore up the defensive backfield play. Texas tends to lose one when they are not supposed too so give me the Dawgs in an upset. No one wants Vandy right now.
Thanks, Joseph.
Some great games this weekend and no better place to watch than The Fennec! (haha)
I think Bama and Arkansas are going to get W’s in close ones. Pulling for UGA.
Congrats on Vandy and hope they keep it going!
Thanks, D!
Thanks for the previews and analysis, DW! Vols playing at Neyland stadium is a huge home field advantage. Tennessee will be tough for Alabama to beat. Like your Texas pick! The Longhorns at are a juggernaut and look like the best team in the country.
Thanks, Bill!
DW
I like the Vols in Neyland.
I think Texas beats UGA.
Against my better judgment I think AU finds a way to win this weekend.
I like your other picks.
Enjoy the weekend. Golf weather is at its best right now.
Thanks a ton, MB. Your Tigers definitely have a shot and couldn’t agree with you more on golf/weather. Hope all your 6 footers fall as Spike would say.
DW, hope the best for the Tide. There will be lots of crazy things in store for the run to the playoffs as we are getting into the meat of the season. Thanks for your work. WT
Thanks a ton, WP. Yes, like you said, a lot of chaos forthcoming.
DW- certainly hoping for a War Eagle win. I do think TX beats GA. TN is fired up for Bama. Saban seems to be settling in to his Game Day roll. I’m late to comment but watching FSU vs Duke. They definitely put some $$$ into Wallace Wade Stadium. Have a great weekend.
Thanks a lot, SH. Saban may be settling in, but he sure misses a lot of his predictions. Kind of interesting and funny.i wish there was more accountability for him and his predictions record. Thanks.