Last week I said Tennessee would win in Fayetteville for the first time since 2001. It did. I also said the Vols would cover 13.5, and they won by seven. Lesson learned. This week I'm taking the points.
My full Alabama pick is up at TriStar Daily:
https://tristardaily.com/bama-week-part-2-too-many-points-at-neyland/
The short version: Alabama is coming to Neyland without Ryan Coleman-Williams, its best receiver, and probably without its starting center. If sophomore Mal Waldrep gets the call, his first career start at center comes in front of 101,915 people. Meanwhile, Xavier Gilliam has 10 tackles for loss through six games. A team that banged up shouldn't be laying more than a touchdown in Knoxville.
THE VOLS PICK
Tennessee +7.5. Alabama 24, Tennessee 21.
Season record against the spread: 2-1.
Kickoff: Saturday, 2:30 Central, ABC.
WHO'S WATCHING
This might be the biggest recruiting weekend of the year. Jermaine Cobbins from Springfield, the top junior in the state, and Battle Ground Academy's Maddox Porter, the No. 1 receiver in the country in the 2029 class, will both be in the stands. Beat Alabama in front of those two, and it pays off for years.
FIVE AND A FADE
The NFL picks are off to a good start. The Broncos beat Seattle 17-14 on Thursday night, so that's 1-0 with five to go this weekend. The college picks all play Saturday.
https://tristardaily.com/five-and-a-fade-nfl-week-6-bad-offenses-and-short-weeks/
WORTH YOUR TIME
CBS Sports likes Alabama to cover the 8.5. Here's the other side of my argument. CBS Sports pick
A to Z Sports on the problem Alabama is bringing into Neyland: nobody on its offense has played there, and its likely center hasn't taken a snap at the position this year. Read it
If you know a Vols fan who'd like this every Friday, forward it along.
Jeremy