Tennessee vs. Alabama: RTT Staff Predictions

The Tennessee Volunteers (2-4) are coming off the first SEC win of the season against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

It was a much-needed win and is easily the biggest win of the 2019 season.

The reward for said win? Well, just a date with top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide.

Even though the proverbial deck stacked against the Vols is as high as the Sears Tower, this represents a great opportunity for the Vols to continue to build momentum.

The Third Saturday of October may not be what it once was, but it will be interesting to see how things play out under the lights on Saturday night.

Austin: Alabama 55, Tennessee 28

No disrespect intended, but Alabama can probably name their score in this one. Right now, they are simply bigger, stronger, and faster than Tennessee. Alabama is missing one of their talented wide receivers for the first half for throwing a punch in their previous game. But, they have plenty of fire-power remaining on offense. Meanwhile, Tennessee will be missing two defensive starters — Henry To’oto’o due to suspension for the first half and Trevon Flowers due to injury.

Tennessee has absolutely nothing to lose in this game. The Vols will play with wreckless abandon on all sides of the ball. Coach Pruitt alluded to potentially onside kicking every play, and honestly, I think he was being completely serious. I expect Tennessee to throw everything and anything at Alabama, and I think it will translate to some points.

Season: (5-1)

Clint: Alabama 56, Tennessee 14

Alabama’s offense is going to put them up by at least three scores before the half arrives. Heck, it might be before the second quarter arrives. Tennessee gets some drives going late in the second half when Alabama puts in their backups.

Season: (3-3)

Evan: Alabama 42, Tennessee 7

I’m not going to waste your time or mine explaining this pick. If you’ve watched either team, then you know why I’ve picked this to happen.

End of story.

Season: (4-2)

Noah: Alabama 59, Tennessee 24

Alabama wins either way, but I think this score hinges on if Tennessee true freshman quarterback Brian Maurer plays.

I actually like Maurer and the Vols to put together a couple of scoring drives in the first half, not unlike last season’s game in Knoxville with Keller Chryst under center. I think Tennessee can tack one or two more late in the game when facing the reserves.

Everything that can be said about this Alabama offense has been said, so I don’t think I need to expand on what they’re capable of. Maybe the rain slows them down a bit?

Season: (4-2)

Terry: Alabama 52, Tennessee 20

This should read, “whatever Nick Saban wants it to be.”

Alabama is just ridiculously talented offensively. They can score when they want, from wherever they want. As if Tua Tagovailoa isn’t enough, they’ve got four game-breaking receivers who can take the lid off of the defense at any time.

I think Tennessee will take advantage of what’s been a bit of a leaky Alabama defense, but they won’t be able to keep up.

Season: (5-1)

Nick: Alabama 45, Tennessee 14

In a perfect world, Tennessee rides the momentum from a hard-fought win against Mississippi State and reels off several straight wins to get to bowl eligibility.

Unfortunately, this is not a perfect world, and the Vols get Alabama Saturday.

Tennessee just doesn’t have the depth to hang with the Tide for four quarters. It’s likely that Tua and Alabama’s slew of future NFL wide receivers abuse the Tennessee secondary.

The Vols might just keep things interesting right up to kickoff.

Season: (0-0)