Roll Tide Wire staff predictions for Alabama vs Tennessee

For a rivalry with the name ‘The Third Saturday in October’, it sure does feel good to be playing this one on the fourth weekend of the month. Alabama will once again face off against Tennessee in Tuscaloosa, looking to make it 15 wins in a row.

First-year head coach Josh Heupel will be the sixth different coach in Knoxville since Nick Saban took over the program in 2007. Ignoring the end-of-game theatrics that took place, you can tell positive energy is finally back for Tennessee. Last week’s near upset of Ole Miss, alongside the return of Lane Kiffin, had Neyland Stadium rocking.

Luckily, Bryant Denny Stadium will be the venue on Saturday. Alabama has won by an average margin of 22.4 at home since 2007. Beating Tennessee has become one of everybody’s favorite yearly traditions, smoking cigars in the stadium, and dishing out one-liners from the famous “I Hate Tennessee” video.

Back to the football field, where Alabama fans will be ready to go with a rare night game at home. An electric crowd is expected to stay through all four quarters.

Check out the Roll Tide Wire’s staff predictions!

Staff predicts the game

AJ Spurr

Tennessee has seemingly found a solid coach in Josh Heupel, and with the offense on a roll, this was supposed to be a somewhat interesting game compared to recent games in this rivalry. However, we must take into account a few injuries and the fact that this game is in Tuscaloosa. Since the loss to Texas A&M, Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide team needs to win every game left on their schedule and do so in epic fashion. Don’t expect Saban or Bill O’Brien to slow down Bryce Young and the offense to slow down once they get going.

Alabama 52, Tennessee 24

Griffin McVeigh

Bryce Young’s bounce-back game against Mississippi State was incredible and restored confidence in the Alabama offense. I expect more of the same this week. Something I will be looking for is who the third wide receiver is going to be. Slade Bolden has been ineffective thus far and seeing one of JoJoe Earle or Traeshon Holden involved would be nice to see.

Defensively, continue to rely on Will Anderosn Jr. He’s going to get his pressure against Tennessee’s offensive line all day. Stop the run game and this one will not be close. The status of Hendon Hooker could really determine how many points Vols score as well.

Hope y’all bought cigars.

Alabama 52, Tennessee 28

Stacey Blackwood

Alabama is coming off its best performance of the season against Mississippi State. I believe Alabama will follow up that performance with another dominating one. Hendon Hooker is a solid QB for the Volunteers and may cause some issues for the Tide defense, but I believe they will up to the challenge. I am not sure Tennessee has anyone who can even get in the way of Will Anderson Jr.! On the offensive side, Alabama should have plenty of success. The Tennessee defense played over 100 plays last week against Ole Miss, so they will show some fatigue in this game. Overall, Alabama is just too strong for the Volunteers. Make it 15 in a row!

Alabama 48, Tennessee 13

Layne Gerbig

Tennessee’s quarterback Hendon Hooker is still questionable, leaving in doubt how well Tennessee’s offense could produce against Alabama.

With that said, I don’t think he’d make a difference. Alabama’s defense is clicking and there hasn’t been a defense to stop Bryce Young and Co.

Alabama 42, Tennessee 14

You can watch Alabama and Tennessee face off on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. CDT on ESPN.

All Betting Lines are courtesy of Tipico Sportsbook.

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