Joel Klatt predicts Alabama to win, Tennessee to cover

No. 6 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee will clash this weekend in Tuscaloosa in the yearly meeting of the ‘Third Saturday in October’ rivalry. After winning 15 consecutive games in the rivalry from 2007-2021, Alabama has lost two of the last three meetings to Tennessee (both in Knoxville).
With the programs both ranked inside the Top 15, this matchup will mark the fourth meeting since 2000 that pits a top-15 Crimson Tide squad against a top-15 Volunteer team. In such games, Tennessee is 2-1 with wins in 2024 (24-17) and 2022 (52-49).
Ahead of the monstrous game in the SEC, FOX Sports‘ Joel Klatt has made his prediction. He is riding with Alabama to take the game in Tuscaloosa, but picked Tennessee to cover the 7.5-point spread.
“This is not a game in which I think ‘Bama is all of a sudden going to come out and play some great defensive game,” Klatt said on ‘The Joel Klatt Show‘. “Remember, Vanderbilt had their opportunities early in that game in Bryant-Denny and Diego Pavia turned the ball over in the red zone a couple of times. So Joey Aguilar can’t turn it over. If he doesn’t, Tennessee is going to be in this game.”
Klatt predicts an Alabama win, but a Tennessee cover
“I really believe that because I trust both of these passing games over the defenses that they’re facing,” Klatt continued. “I think ‘Bama has done an incredible job over the past few weeks. [Kalen] DeBoer has this team believing and finding ways to win. There’s no doubt, and their quarterback has a lot of guts. He has a lot of talent. If Tennessee doesn’t make the mistakes, they’ll be right there.”
“But ultimately in this one, I’m gonna go with an Alabama win. I think they win 34-28, so I’ll take the +7.5 with Tennessee. I think that’s a big number just based on these defenses, the passing games and what these quarterbacks could possibly do. So I think it’s a high-scoring affair, but ‘Bama wins at home 34-28. So I’m gonna take the +7.5 for Tennessee for the pick.”
Klatt is right about Aguilar and Simpson, as they have been two of the best quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference this season. Alabama‘s Ty Simpson has passed for 1,678 yards, 16 touchdowns and one interception, while Tennessee‘s Joey Aguilar has passed for 1,680 yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.
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Kickoff in what should be a high-scoring affair between No. 6 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee this Saturday is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on ABC.
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