Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1) vs. Tennessee Volunteers (5-1)
The tension is increasing as the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers, both at 5-1 this season, are about to battle in a key NCAAF week 8 fixture. The teams will meet on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Neyland Stadium – the home field of Volunteers. This game is not only a contest for the top place in the Southeastern Conference but, therefore, a more crucial game for the aspirations of both teams in the playoffs. The excitement is palpable for the fans as the players take center stage, with the match set to start at 3:30 PM ET and will be broadcast on ABC/ESPN+. With the start of college football expert picks, everyone is eager about this duel, one of the college sports titans.
Highlighting Alabama’s lineup, Jam Miller is a key addition in the backfield. He had 51 rushing attempts for 360 yards with five touchdowns, and his impressive 7.1 yards per rush in that stint is enough to slice through a defensive line. So is Ryan Williams, who has turned 23 receptions into 576 yards while also recording six touchdowns during this remarkable averaging an impressive 25 yards per catch which demonstrates how dangerous he is and is a constant threat to Tennessee’s secondary. How this duo performs on any given Sunday can very well dictate the kind of impact feel the overall tempo of the game heading towards either direction hence why all eyes will be on Alabama’s offensive set piece.
In contrast, Tennessee has its own set of weapons for the occasion as well. The powerhouse running back Dylan Sampson has had 699 rushing yards off 118 carries with a team-leading 15 rushing touchdowns to his name. His ability to plow through defenders making sure to gain yardage on the chain, will be extremely necessary as Alabama’s defensive formation will be looking for ways to turnover possession. Also assisting him in the aerial assault is Dont’e Thornton Jr., who had 295 receiving yards off only nine catches proving his effectiveness and danger of going deep on his targets. These key players further emphasize Tennessee’s versatility, allowing them to take advantage of any cracks in Alabama defensive game plan.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers Game Info
| When: | Saturday, October 19, 2024, at 3:30 PM ET |
| Where: | Neyland Stadium |
| TV: | ABC/ESPN+ |
| Stream: | Sofascore |
Jalen Milroe QB vs. Nico Iamaleava QB
Alabama’s Jalen Milroe has had a pretty solid season this year recording 12 touchdowns and gaining a total of 1483 yards by completing 96 attempts out of the 132 thrown towards him. He has been an asset for Alabama with his efficiency rating surpassing 191. Nevertheless, his 11 sacks reveal an Achilles’ heel which Tennessee may use to their advantage. Tennessee’s Nico Iamaleava on the other hand though has recorded 1219 yards and has a 149.3 quarterback rating, is not as explosive but more resilient with fewer yards lost to sacks as well as maintaining a respectable completion percentage. How the battle plays out between these two quarterbacks will depend largely on how they cope with pressure and perform in taking critical shots.
NCAAF Odds/Point Spread: Alabama Crimson Tide -150, Total Odds: 56.5
The current betting landscape sees Alabama favored slightly over Tennessee, reflective of their formidable offense and strong historical performance against the Volunteers. However, the tight spread of -3 points suggests that oddsmakers expect a closely contested battle, one possibly swayed by a single possession.
Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Trends
Alabama’s recent betting trends show a strong propensity for high-scoring games, with the total going OVER in 6 of their last 7. Their dominance against Tennessee is evident, winning 16 of the last 17 encounters. Such trends suggest a high likelihood of Alabama covering the spread, particularly given their 9-2 ATS record in recent road games against Tennessee.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Trends
Conversely, Tennessee shows strength at home with an 18-1 SU record in their last 19 home games, though they struggle against Alabama in Knoxville, with a 1-7 SU mark in their last 8 home games against them. The total has also tended to go UNDER in their recent SEC matchups, indicating a potential shift towards a more defensive game plan against high-caliber opponents like Alabama.
Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers 10/19/2024 Betting Picks
Considering all recognition, the game promises to see some fireworks and the usual chess games defensively and offensively from both teams. Due to Alabama’s firepower, as well as their statistical advantage in the playoffs, they are the most reasonable choice to cover the spread. On the other hand, it would be unfair to ignore the fact that Tennessee is tough to play against at home and has a very strong scoring touch, emphasizing that it makes the OVER on 56.5 also attractive.
In conclusion, although it is hard to bet against Alabama and their chances of extending their winning streak over Tennessee, the Volunteers’ home glory and balanced performance can turn this game into one of the most entertaining and tightly fought encounters of the season. For those placing bets at the top online betting sites, the interesting pick would be Alabama to cover and the total to go OVER, with some prop bets that take advantage of the dynamism of Jam Miller and Dylan Sampson.
