NCAA Football Betting: Crimson Tide Continue Chase Back To Top Spot Saturday

After the biggest loss of the college football betting season, number-eight Alabama will look to continue its long climb back to the top spot in the country when they take on Tennessee Saturday. The Crimson Tide fell seven spots after a surprising loss to South Carolina State, and despite falling seven spots from number-one, could very well still be in the running for a top-five ranking if they can win out the rest of the way.

Alabama Crimson Tide @ Tennessee Volunteers
Saturday October 23, 2010 – 7:00 PM ET
Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
Online Sports Betting Odds: Alabama - 17

Alabama will battle a Tennessee team that is winless in the SEC after three games against conference opponents. The Volunteers have one win after week one of the season, and that came against UAB in overtime at home.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Alabama

The Crimson Tide bounced back from the loss to the Gamecocks with an unconvincing 23-10 win over Mississippi last Saturday, extending its winning streak against unranked opponents to 21 straight games. Alabama’s defense is ranked fifth in the country this season, despite having only eight sacks, which is 12 less than they had at this point last year. Alabama’s offense has struggled recently, failing to top the 23-point mark in consecutive weeks after surpassing that mark in every other game this season. The Crimson Tide still have three more ranked opponents on their schedule, including two in the top-ten in number-six LSU and number-four Auburn, so there is room for head coach Nick Saban’s squad to garner plenty more respect the rest of the way.

NCAA Football Betting Preview: Tennessee

It has been an absolute nightmare season for the Volunteers, which were considered to have made significant progress last season before a tumultuous offseason that saw them lose much of their personnel, including former head coach Lane Kiffin. The Volunteers have always played Alabama well in the past, but head coach Derek Dooley has been unable to find the consistency with this team, and will have a tough time against one of the men who mentored him in Saban. Tennessee rushed for only nine yards while giving up 400 yards for the fourth time in five games their last loss, and there is little reason to believe they will show improvement against a determined Crimson Tide team.

The Match Up: Alabama @ Tennessee

Tennessee has not been able to beat anyone in the SEC this Northbet season, and although the Crimson Tide aren’t the top-ranked team anymore, they may very well still be the best team in the SEC. Alabama is determined to prove how good they are by winning out, a task that will continue this week in a game that they are expected to make a statement in. The Crimson Tide will fight their way back to the top of the BCS standings, beginning this weekend in Tennessee.

NCAA Football Betting Pick: Alabama - 17