"Expert" Predictions for the Alabama-Tennessee game

CBS Sports - Against the Spread

Dennis Dodd - Tennessee
Tom Fornelli - Tennessee
Chip Patterson - Alabama
Barrett Sallee - Tennessee
Shehan Jeyarajah - Tennessee
David Cobb - Tennessee

USA Today

Scooby Axson - Tennessee
Jace Evans - Tennessee
Paul Myerberg - Alabama
Erick Smith - Alabama
Eddie Timanus - Tennessee
Dan Wolken - Alabama

College Football News

Eric Bolin, RazorbacksWire.com: Alabama*
Evan Bredeson, CornhuskersWire.com: Alabama
Tony Cosolo, ColoradoBuffaloesWire.com: Tennessee
Jeff Feyerer, CFN: Tennessee
Pete Fiutak, CFN: Alabama
Cami Griffin, LonghornsWire.com: Alabama*
Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com: Tennessee
Phil Harrison, BuckeyesWire.com: Alabama*
Jeremy Mauss, MWwire.com Alabama
Kevin McGuire, NittanyLionsWire.com: Tennessee
Big Game Ben Niewoehner, CFN Alabama*
E, CFN Alabama*
Tyler Nettuno, LSUTigerswire.com Alabama*
Zack Pearson, TarHeelswire.com Alabama*
Johnny Rosenstein, SportsBookWire.com: Tennessee
Nick Shepkowski, FightingIrishWire.com: Alabama*
Scott Steehn, WinnersandWhiners.com: Tennessee
Joe Vitale, UGAWire.com: Alabama*
Clucko the Chicken (a coin flip), CFN: Tennessee
CONSENSUS PICK: Alabama*

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Dan Wolken - Alabama

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We are screwed.

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Barrett Sallee - Tennessee

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Name someone with a bigger hate-boner for Bama than Sallee

I'm actually really enjoying most people picking Tennessee this weekend. Just keep feeding Knoxville that rat poison that they haven't been accustomed to in decades and keep playing up that this is their biggest game in...well decades again. Gambling wise most of the public is on Tennessee, makes me feel even more confident in a Bama win with a hopefully starting Bryce Young.

247 Sports

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ALABAMA -7.5 AT TENNESSEE

Hummer (The pick: Tennessee +7.5): Could Alabama blow Tennessee out? Absolutely. But given what I’ve seen from the Tide this year against like talent (Texas, Texas A&M), I feel pretty good about this being a close game. Tennessee can score. Alabama’s corners are a weak point, and the Vols have some players capable of taking advantage. Do I think Tennessee can stop the Tide with Bryce Young under center? Not at all. But I do think this could be a heck of a four-quarter shootout. … Alabama 35, Tennessee 28.

Crawford (The pick: Tennessee +7.5): This is the biggest home game in more than a decade for Tennessee, at least that’s what Saturday at Neyland is being billed as against Alabama. I’m here to say the road trip to Georgia a few weeks from now will be even more important because both teams will be unbeaten after the Vols take down the Crimson Tide. Alabama has played with fire in several close games already and even if Young plays, I don’t think he’s going to be 100%. I’ll take 7.5 points to be safe, but am picking Tennessee to win outright too. The stars have aligned and they're all in Knoxville.... Tennessee 35, Alabama 31.

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Rivals

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No. 3 Alabama -7.5 at No. 6 Tennessee, 2:30 p.m., CBS

Neal McCready: It's a trap. I just think it's a trap. I hope I'm wrong, because it would be kind of fun to see Knoxville go batshit crazy in the aftermath of a win over Alabama, but I don't see it. Plus, you're offering me Alabama and only making me give 7.5 points? Sign me up. Neal's Pick: Alabama 34, Tennessee 24

Chase Parham: I refuse to do it. Bryce Young is on a pitch count and all that garbage, but this is just too good to pass up. Tennessee covers and I'll just shake my head. If I take the Vols and it's an Alabama blowout, I'll call myself an idiot all week. This is about self preservation. Parham's Pick: Alabama 38, Tennessee 30

Jeffrey Wright: My eyes tell me that Tennessee catching a touchdown and a hook at home is the play. Tennessee is good enough to stretch the field and hit explosive plays in the passing game. However, my brain tells me that Tennessee catching a touchdown and a hook is a sucker play. I’m assuming that Young is playing and will be numb to the chaos around him. WRIGHT’S PICK: ALABAMA 38, TENNESSEE 28

Brian Rippee: I will take the trap here. Tennessee looks like a machine offensively. Hendon Hooker has played incredibly well and I think the Vols' defense is a little bit better than some statistics would suggest. I totally get the Alabama disrespect angle, but that's not going to help their receivers create separation or their offensive line block better. My record is terrible and I am feeling reckless. Rippee's Pick: Tennessee 38, Alabama 35.

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I always wondered what his deal was. He sounds like a complete tool on the radio.

I'm getting Georgia 2008 / 2015 vibes from the leadup to this game.