Expert Predictions for the Alabama vs Vanderbilt Game

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Vanderbilt at No. 1 Alabama

Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET (CBS)

This unquestionably is the best Vanderbilt team since James Franklin skipped town four years ago. Derek Mason has built a legitimate SEC East contender, with a strong defense complementing a suddenly dangerous passing game. It’s a bummer the ‘Dores likely are headed for the East basement. Vandy is in the midst of a ridiculous three-game stretch (Alabama, Florida, Georgia) that will either birth a Top 5 team or crush its hopes of reaching Atlanta.

Alabama’s first trip to Nashville in a decade will be challenging. But it won’t be the tight game everyone is hoping for. Look for the Tide to blow it open in the third quarter. The pick: Alabama.

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Alabama (-19.5) at Vanderbilt

3:30 p.m., Saturday, CBS

This game features the top statistical defense in the FBS. That's Vandy, of course, at 198.3 yards and 4.3 points per game. This would be the upset of the year, and quarterback Kyle Shurmur needs to have the night of his life. We don't see it. The Crimson Tide win their SEC opener, but it won't be a cakewalk if they can’t get the running game going.

Alabama wins 31-13 but fails to cover the spread

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TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama football opens SEC play Saturday with a matchup against Vanderbilt.

It’s the first trip to Nashville for Alabama (3-0) since 2007. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here are predictions from those who cover Alabama football for SEC Country.

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Marq Burnett: Alabama 27, Vanderbilt 10

The game likely will be an ugly one. Vanderbilt is a good team, but it doesn’t have the athletes to beat Alabama. The Commodores will keep it close for a while, but Jalen Hurts and Alabama’s offense will be too much for Derek Mason’s defense.

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Christopher Walsh: Alabama 38, Vanderbilt 13

This is one of those games in which the final score probably will not be indicative of how the game was played, because Vanderbilt has a good defense and will look to be efficient of offense. The guess here is that Alabama controls the field position and eventually pulls away. Once the Commodores are in a hole, the score will get lopsided.

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Chris Kirschner: Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 14

This isn’t the Vanderbilt team of years past. The Commodores are a good football team, but I don’t think they’re quite ready to take down a national championship contender. In Alabama’s last two games, the Crimson Tide have let up on the gas late against lesser opponents. I don’t think that will happen on Saturday. I believe Alabama will be completely locked in for its first SEC game, and I think Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur will force throws to try to make things happen, which will lead to double-digit points off turnovers for the Tide.

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Mike Bambach: Alabama 31, Vanderbilt 3

Vanderbilt has made 5 interceptions this season, and turnovers are the only thing that would keep the Commodores in this game. There’s a first time for everything, but Alabama has no turnovers this season. Zero — which is how many points Vandy will score against a motivated Tide defense that returns three linebackers. Vandy has punted 20 times this season, nearly double Alabama’s total. If the Tide can score 24 points against Florida State, I predict they can top that against Vandy’s stout defense.

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Ryan Fowler: Alabama 31, Vanderbilt 10

According to the latest talk coming out of Nashville, Vanderbilt believes it can compete with the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, I am not buying into this theory. Alabama’s defense needs to take a step in the right direction and I believe it will do that on Saturday afternoon. I also believe Jalen Hurts will run all over this team, which will provide more opportunities for pushing the ball down the field.

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Molly Geary picks Alabama: The Commodores proved they are for real with a 14–7 win over Kansas State last week, but it would take an absolutely Herculean effort to take down the Crimson Tide. Vandy will make noise in the SEC this year, but Alabama is a step too high.

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Alabama at Vanderbilt

Saturday afternoon: 2:30 pm Central (CBS) - Nashville, TN

- We have two undefeated teams meeting in Nashville this weekend with one team being the #1 ranked program in the country and a team playing the underdog role that packs plenty of punch. Bama comes to town as the big dog, standing currently at 3-0 and looking impressive on both sides of the ball. Vanderbilt as well is 3-0 and looking very impressive on both offense and defense. The Commodores defeated previously ranked Kansas St at home last weekend and their defense has given up a total of 13 points on the season. Alabama is dealing with several injuries, especially on defense but Jalen Hurts has been impressive under center for the Tide. Many feel the Crimson Tide will dominate and roll past the Dores but I don't feel that will be the case. I do feel Bama will prevail in the end but this will be a much closer game than many think. Prediction: Alabama 24 Vanderbilt 14

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Dennis Dodd - Vanderbilt Jerry Palm - Vanderbilt Tom Fornelli - Alabama Chip Patterson - Vanderbilt Barrett Sallee - Alabama Ben Kercheval - Vanderbilt Barton Simmons - Vanderbilt

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Against the Spread (Vandy +19.5)

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