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The Tennessee-Alabama spread was steep for this October 22, 2011 showdown as the Crimson Tide host the Volunteers as -29.5 point favorites at BetDSI.com.
Sportsbook.com Line & Total: Alabama -29.5 & 46.5
Opening Line & Total: ‘Bama -28 & 46
No. 2 Alabama tries not to look ahead to its showdown with No. 1 LSU when it hosts slumping Tennessee on Saturday.
The Tide have one more opponent to knock down before a bye week followed by a home date with the top-ranked Tigers. That opponent is slumping Tennessee, which has scored 42 points in three SEC losses this year. Tennessee QB Matt Simms went 6-for-20 for 128 yards, 0 TD and 2 INT at home in last week’s 38-7 defeat to LSU, and he doesn’t figure to play better in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The Vols have averaged 10.8 PPG in the past six meetings with the Tide, losing 41-10 last year. In 2011, Alabama leads the nation in both total and scoring defense, is winning by an average score of 40-7 and is outgaining its opponents by 185 YPG. The Vols rank 114th in rushing offense (89 YPG), while the Tide have held four straight foes (all SEC teams) to less than 50 rushing yards. Alabama is 6-1 ATS with the only non-cover being a 41-0 win over North Texas when there was a 47-point spread.
Simms, who is replacing the injured Tyler Bray (broken thumb), went 12-of-22 for 117 yards, 0 TD and 1 INT in last year’s 41-10 loss to Alabama. For the Vols to hang around in this seemingly lopsided affair, senior RB Tauren Poole will need to chew up yards on the ground. Poole proved he is capable with an impressive 177 yards on only 14 carries (8.4 YPC) in last year’s meeting with the Tide. He also had a decent afternoon against a stellar LSU defense last week, gaining 70 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. The Vols could also use a little luck in the turnover department, but considering they have just two takeaways in five games versus FBS schools this year, it’s not likely to happen. The chances are even more diminished by an Alabama squad that has played four straight turnover-free games. Tennessee has allowed 30.3 PPG in SEC play, and the team ranks 90th in the nation with 1.5 sacks per game.
Tide QB AJ McCarron has had a great year, completing 67% of his passes for 1,380 yards, 9 TD and just 2 INT, which were both in the opening game of the season. But everybody knows the way to stop Alabama is to stop RB Trent Richardson. That’s much easier said than done, as Richardson continues his assault on opponents with 912 rushing yards (130 YPG, 4th in nation) and 15 TD. In last year’s win at Tennessee, Richardson rushed for 119 yards on just 12 carries (9.9 YPC), and scored two touchdowns. In their four SEC games, the Tide have allowed a total of 101 rushing yards (25 YPG) on 98 carries. They have also forced two turnovers in each of these four conference games.
- Carrie Stroup, Gambling911.com Senior Reporter
