Joel Klatt makes his pick for Vanderbilt at Alabama

FOX Sports analyst Joel Klatt recognizes Alabama can longer cruise against Vanderbilt, and that’s especially true for their Week 6 matchup. Despite the Crimson Tide coming off a statement win over Georgia, Klatt believes the Commodores have the firepower to make things interesting in Tuscaloosa.

“Vanderbilt at Alabama — this is a 10-and-a-half point line. That’s a big number,” Klatt said on The Joel Klatt Show. “For a team in Alabama that, yes, got a huge win against Georgia, but do we really know if either of those teams are great? No. In fact, there are a lot of holes with Bama and with Georgia.”

Klatt pointed out that Alabama’s offense has been electric through the air but limited on the ground, which is shift from what the program was previously known for: “Bama specifically can’t stop the run, and they can’t run the football very well,” he explained.

“So what they’re doing right now is winning with a great passing game. Ty Simpson has been terrific. There’s no doubt. But this is not Bama of yesteryear. This is not a team that, if you get their full attention, they’re going to beat you by 30.”

That said, Klatt expects Alabama to be motivated after last year’s shocking loss to Vanderbilt. He believes that defeat that still lingers in Tuscaloosa, and they’ll be more prepared than ever for the Commodores.

“Even though Vandy will have their full attention a week after a huge win, I don’t think it’s going to be difficult for Alabama to get up for this game because Vandy just beat them a year ago,” Klatt continued. “That loss is going to be sticking right in their throat this entire week, and they’re going to be motivated to play.”

Meanwhile, Klatt credited Vanderbilt head coach Clark Lea and quarterback Diego Pavia for the Commodores’ transformation. He called them tough and disciplined, and noted he’s expecting them to keep it close on Saturday.

“Vanderbilt comes into this one with the number four scoring offense in the country,” Klatt noted. “Diego Pavia has a bit of a Haynes King feel to him — just kind of a warrior. And I just don’t feel like he’s going to allow this game to get away from him.”

Ultimately, Klatt is picking Alabama to win but Vanderbilt to cover. These aren’t your same old Commodores, but Klatt isn’t ready to pick the to beat the Crimson Tide two seasons in a row.

“I think Bama wins this one, but I’m going to take the hook,” he concluded. “I’m going to take that half-point and say 31–21. Bama wins, they beat Vandy, but not by more than 10 and a half.”

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