3 bold predictions for Alabama football against Tennessee

We're just a little over 48-hours away from Alabama football rekindling its rivalry with Tennessee in the Third Saturday in October.

The Crimson Tide won last year's meeting in Tuscaloosa thanks to a 27-0 second half, but the memory of the last trek to Neyland is still fresh on the minds of the players who were on the 2022 team and all Alabama fans. The three point loss two years ago is the only reason the streak isn't at 17 going on 18.

It's time to get to some predictions for the game, and we're going to get started with the bold variety.

We hit on one of the three bold predictions from last week. We correctly predicted the Crimson Tide defense would produce four or more sacks. They got exactly four. The other two didn't work out so much.

Ryan Williams' touchdown streak came to an end, and Alabama did not come up with a non-offensive touchdown.

While going 1/3 is good in baseball, we strive for better here at Bama Hammer. Perfection may not be realistic, but we'd like to be dang close.

3 Bold Predictions

3. Jam Miller eclipses 100-yards from scrimmage

For my money, Jam Miller has separated himself a bit from Justice Haynes as the Tide's top back. It's no disrespect to Haynes, who is a very good player in his own right, but Alabama's offense just seems to be better when Miller is on the field.

The junior needs to be more involved in the offense. Alabama's rushing offense has flourished with Jalen Milroe running the ball, but he looked a bit labored at the end of the South Carolina game due to the sheer volume of the workload he's had to shoulder.

Miller is averaging over seven yards per carry and has proven himself as a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield.

This prediction is bold because Miller has only eclipsed 100 yards once this season. He had 140 rushing yards in the win over USF in Week 2.

Tennessee has one of the best run defenses in the country, so it'll take a big effort from Miller to get this done. I don't expect he'll rush for over 100 yards, but I think he'll hit a big play or two in the passing game and get over 100 combined yards from scrimmage.

2. LT Overton records two sacks

The LT Overton breakout game is coming. I think it could be as early as this week.

Overton only has one sack this season, but that's due to struggling to finish plays. He's beating his man consistently at the line of scrimmage. He's eighth in the country in pass rush win rate, and second in quarterback hurries.

This feels like a good week for the breakout due to Tennessee's struggles protecting QB Nico Iamaleava in SEC play. After giving up only one sack through the season's first three games, Iamaleava has gotten sacked 10 times in the last three games.

Overton has been one of the best pass rushers in the country; he just doesn't have the stats to show for it. That's going to change, and the prediction is that it changes his week and Overton gets two sacks.

1. Kendrick Law houses a KO return

Kendrick Law is probable for a second straight week. The junior WR was announced as a starter for last week's game against South Carolina and went through pregame warmups, but was ultimately held out. I can't imagine he misses a third straight game.

The Tide's offense needs him back in a bad way. His counting stats don't look like much to the naked eye, but he's been a force as a blocker on the edge, and against a Tennessee run defense that is stifling up the middle, being able to hit the perimeter runs will be key for the Crimson Tide to maintain offensive balance.

It'll also be nice to get him back as the primary kickoff returner, with Emmanuel Henderson looking shaky with his ball security two weeks in a row.

Law is explosive and nearly broke a touchdown on a kickoff against USF. Of course, he ultimately fumbled, but I'm choosing to focus on the positive.

Look for Law to make his return, and a big play on special teams ultimately is the difference in a tight game in Knoxville.