Alabama Football: TV, betting info, injury update and game prediction

A game Alabama football fans have been waiting on for 364 days is hours away. For Crimson Tide fans, players and coaches beating Tennessee is about more than payback. It is about putting down a marker that Alabama remains a standard that all other SEC teams aspire to.

Both the Crimson Tide and the Vols have weaknesses. The teams also have greater strengths. There is no reason to believe the game will be anything other than a battle between two very good football teams. One of the teams has the potential to become much better than very good.

Alabama Football: How to watch

The game will presented by CBS with an expected kickoff around 2:37 PM CST. The CBS team will be Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jenny Dell. Available streaming sources include the CBS Sports app, Paramount+, and fuboTV.

The Crimson Tide Sports Network radio broadcast with Eli Gold, Tyler Watts and Christian Miller will be available on radio stations across Alabama and also can be heard on Sirius/XM channels 132 or 192.

The game will be the 106th contest between the old rivals. Alabama leads the series at 59-38-8.

Crimson Tide Injury Situation

Officially, Trezmen Marshall, CJ Dippre, Terrence Ferguson II and Malachi Moore have practiced this week. Unofficially, Marshall appears to be the most healthy and perhaps close to 100%. It is not known how close the other three are to 100%, though Alabama football insiders have said Moore and Dippre will play. Ferguson’s recovery from a high ankle sprain may limit him too much for a return this week. One source stated that Moore’s status is “questionable.”

Betting Odds

According to FanDuel, the Alabama Crimson Tide is an 8.5-point favorite with the Over/Under at 47.5 points. The Moneyline is Alabama -330 and Tennessee +260. As always, betting odds are subject to change.

What to expect

The video below is from Nick Saban’s Thursday night radio show. It is a passionate demand that the Bryant-Denny crowd deliver a considerable impact on the game.

I expect Alabama football fans will deliver.

Alabama Football Game Prediction

My two biggest concerns about the game cannot be ignored. The Crimson Tide will play for the eighth straight week and such a grind always takes a toll. Then there is the Tennessee pass rush that includes multiple threats from the Vols and not just the highly-heralded James Pearce. The Tide’s coaching staff will be stressed to use formations and play calls that minimize Tennessee’s quarterback pressure.

The Tennessee rushing attack must be contained. Josh Heupel’s wide splits spread out defenders, providing added space for Tennessee runners. Alabama has the personnel to slow that type of offense, especially if a healthy Malachi Moore is at Star.

In every other way, I think Alabama has position group advantages. I expect Alabama to be well-prepared and to play its best game of the season. This leads me to believe a top Crimson Tide performance, plus the Bryant-Denny crowd will result in a 10-14 point Alabama win.

But, playing for the eighth straight Saturday, against a fast-ball offense, I fear a fatigue factor could favor the Vols, who were off in week six.

Alabama Crimson Tide 27 – Tennessee Vols 20

Note: Game and series history info provided by rolltide.com