Jumbo Package: Alabama set to roll over hapless Vols

Happy Friday, everyone. Your Tennessee previews:

Alabama (-21) at Tennessee, 3:30 p.m.

Like Clemson in the ACC, nobody in the SEC seems equipped to give Alabama a serious run for their money. The Crimson Tide just flexed their muscles against the SEC’s best defense for an easy cover last week, and the Vols just got steamrolled at home by Kentucky. This should be an easy cover for the Tide as the struggles for the Vols continue for another week before things possibly turn the corner. Alabama 42, Tennessee 20

I always say that it’s impossible to pick Alabama games when it feels like it can just dial up any score it wants. This is the exception, though. It’s hard to imagine that, considering the offensive mess that Pruitt has on Rocky Top, Tennessee can even crack double digits. In that case, can Alabama crack 30? They might be able to do that in the first half. This is one of the locks of the weekend. Pick: Alabama (-21)

Blake Toppmeyer, Vols beat writer

Alabama 52, Tennessee 14: Alabama can probably name its margin of victory. The Crimson Tide have the nation’s best offense, and Tennessee’s messy quarterback situation keeps the Vols from being positioned to take advantage of an Alabama defense that is down, by its standards.

Mike Wilson, Vols beat writer

Alabama 59, Tennessee 10: Alabama looks like 2019 LSU offensively, especially after posting almost 600 total yards on an insane Georgia defense. That is not good for a Tennessee team with a porous defense and an offense gifting opponents more possessions. This one figures to get ugly early and only get more disturbing for the Vols.

This year, watch for the Volunteer defense to pitch a good game and keep the Bama offense from taking over early on, but Guarantano – if he gets the nod for the entire game – and the O won’t keep pace in the second half.

Alabama is more relentless than ever. The streak in the series goes to 14 straight.

Alabama 40, Tennessee 20

I honestly can’t figure out why the spread on this game is only 21 points, with Vegas predicting something near a 44-23 outcome. This is a team that lost by 23 points to the Georgia team that Alabama just whipped, and then looked about as listless as a team can look while getting drubbed by Kentucky last weekend. As you can see, their own beat writers aren’t expecting the game to be nearly that close. Maybe bettors are expecting a Bama letdown?

It’s tough to imagine Tennessee stopping this Alabama offense more than twice. Alabama ends this one by halftime then runs the ball in the second half. Let’s call it 49-13.

Of course, that it just my opinion. Vote and give us yours in the comments.

If you’d like a little backstory on the cigar tradition with Tennessee, Alex Scarborough has you covered.

Jim was a longtime trainer at Alabama, but before that he was an assistant trainer at Tennessee. And like his boss, Paul “Bear” Bryant, he hated the Volunteers. So, the story goes, in the fall of 1961, Jim made a bet with the players on the team. Beat Tennessee for the first time in six years, he said, and he’ll dance around the locker room naked.

Whether by talent or precision or the promise of seeing Jim cut a rug, the Crimson Tide beat the Vols 34-3. And true to his word, Jim danced, albeit with a victory cigar pressed between his lips.

Thankfully, the stogie is the only part of the celebration that carried over.

Jeff Allen is very thankful as well.

Patrick Surtain II says lockdowns aren’t just for governors.

If he keeps that up, he could work himself into the top five.

Last, while Nick Saban’s positive test turned out to be false, Greg Byrne has been dealing with the virus and spoke about his experience on Finebaum.

That’s about it for today. Have a great weekend.

Roll Tide.