This is the fifth Alabama Preview and Prediction piece, counting down from the first, which was the Auburn Tigers. Including the recent one for the Texas A&M game, I have not predicted an Alabama Crimson Tide loss.
My format for discussing the Tennessee game is different. This piece requires a disclaimer. Like a young man said more than 15 years ago, "I hate Tennessee."
I agree with every word in the video. So, I cannot be even the least bit objective about the Vols. My preview format is to present what others are saying about Tennessee in Josh Heupel's upcoming sixth Tennessee season.
Let's begin with some last season perspective: Joey Peterson tweeted, "TENNESSEE DIDN’T BEAT A SINGLE BOWL-ELIGIBLE TEAM IN YEAR 5 OF JOSH HEUPEL." Maybe the all-caps were over the top, but Tennessee's 8-5 record overrated the Vols' performance. Not a single win was impressive. In addition, for only the fourth time since 1975, Vanderbilt beat the Vols in Knoxville, winning by a butt-stomping 45-24.
ESPN touts that Tennessee's biggest strength is its offensive line. The biggest weakness, according to ESPN, is the lack of a proven quarterback. Tennessee fans are counting on former 5-star Faison Brandon to quickly become a superstar. They are confident the best quarterback in Neyland Stadium on Oct. 17 will be Brandon, rather than Keelon Russell.
Tennessee fans are also counting on new DC Jim Knowles to field a much-improved defense. Tennessee was No. 15 among SEC teams in pass defense last season. Knowles' stellar reputation is deserved. He will make Tennessee better. How soon is the only question.
Rocky Top Talk projected that Tennessee could go 10-2 and advance to the Playoff. The same source also said a worst-case scenario for the Vols is a 5-7 season.
Alabama Football Game Prediction
Because it will be Alabama's seventh game without a break and since it is a road game, I'm not predicting the Crimson Tide to win easily. Kenneth Massey has Alabama squeaking by 30-28. My prediction is Alabama 27 - Tennessee 21.
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