The Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide do battle Saturday in SEC week 7 college football action at Neyland Stadium. The Alabama Crimson Tide look for their sixth 7-0 start in the last 7 seasons. The Tennessee Volunteers look for their first 6-0 start since the 1998 season.
The Alabama Crimson Tide have won 5 of their last 6 road games. Bryce Young is completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 1,202 yards, 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Traeshon Holden and Ja’Corey Brooks have combined for 446 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while Jahmyr Gibbs has 22 receptions. The Alabama Crimson Tide ground game is averaging 257.5 yards per contest, and Gibbs leads the way with 532 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Alabama is allowing 12.5 points and 250.8 yards per game. Henry To’oTo’o leads the Alabama Crimson Tide with 39 tackles, Will Anderson Jr. has 5 sacks and Terrion Arnold has 1 interception.
The Tennessee Volunteers have won 7 of their last 9 home games. Hendon Hooker is completing 70 percent of his passes for 1,432 yards, 10 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy have combined for 739 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns, while Cedric Tillman has 17 receptions. The Tennessee Volunteers ground game is averaging 207.6 yards per contest, and Jaylen Wright leads the way with 315 yards and 4 touchdowns. Defensively, Tennessee is allowing 17.8 points and 396.8 yards per game. Aaron Beasley leads the Tennessee Volunteers with 35 tackles, Byron Young has 3.5 sacks and Kamal Hadden has 2 interceptions.
The Crimson Tide are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games on grass and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games in October. The Volunteers are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The under is 6-2 in Crimson Tide last 8 games overall. The over is 9-2 in Volunteers last 11 games overall. The Crimson Tide are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 meetings in Tennessee and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings.
The Alabama Crimson Tide are the better team overall, and they’re going to get some more love because of their name and reputation. With that said, the Tennessee Volunteers are legit, especially on the offensive side where they have playmakers and are first in total offense, seventh in passing offense and second in scoring offense. The Volunteers have the firepower to give Alabama a run for its money. This should be a dogfight between two of the best teams in the SEC. Give me the free touchdown with the Vols.