The 2017 online college football betting takes off once again this weekend with one of the longest traditions in NCAA history: the Third Saturday in October. This Saturday, the Crimson Tide will be playing host to the Tennessee Volunteers. The first thing that sticks out about this matchup is the severe difference in talents between both teams; Alabama comes into this weekend’s contest undefeated at 7-0 as well as with a No. 1 nationwide ranking, while the Volunteers are unranked and struggling to remain above .500. Naturally, US sportsbooks will have a lot to say about this matchup and while it’s clear which program should be the odds on favorite, it’s also true that anything can happen in a rivalry as intense and storied as this one. Let’s take a quick glance at what the NCAA bookmakers are predicting will go down in the Third Saturday in October.
Betting Tennessee
The Volunteers have struggled to post a 3-3 record this year. Furthermore, Tennessee has yet to win a conference matchup this season and it looks like NCAA US sportsbooks are predicting they’ll remain winless in the SEC through this weekend. The Volunteers have picked up wins against Georgia Tech, Indiana State, as well as UMass. For comparison, Tennessee has conceded losses to No. 24 Florida, No. 7 Georgia, and South Carolina. The Volunteers, despite their best efforts, come into this Saturday’s contest riding a 2-game losing streak. The program will do all it can to get an upset over their longtime rival but it’s hard to imagine them knocking off the best team in the country – regardless of how much bad blood there is between these two.
Looking over both teams’ numbers it’s clear that the Volunteers will have a tough time measuring up to Alabama this Saturday. Tennessee is averaging 21.7 points per game while Alabama is putting up 42.7. The Volunteers give up 23.8 while the Crimson Tide’s elite defense only gives up 10.1 points per outing. Similarly, Tennessee only gains 320 yards per game while Alabama is gaining 484.9 per game. Seeing this kind of disparage in statistics is not unheard of in college football, but it is still somewhat surprising to come across. Barring some divine intervention, sportsbook online betting fans should stick to an Alabama blowout on this one.
Betting Alabama
The Crimson Tide are the best team in the nation and their 7-0 unblemished record reflects that precisely. Additionally, Alabama has posted a 4-0 record in conference play that ranks them first in SEC West, a whole game ahead of Auburn. The Crimson Tide has faced great opposition this season, most notably the currently ranked No. 3 team in the nation – Florida State, in their second game of the season. Alabama is coming off a 41-9 triumph over the Arkansas Razorbacks that certainly felt like taking candy from a baby. Top sportsbooks are predicting a 35 point blowout this weekend and judging by what Alabama has done to their opposition this season, they shouldn’t have too much of a hard time beating that spread.
US Sportsbook Lines & Odds:
Tennessee Volunteers +34 ½ (-110) 50 ½ (-110) +8500
Alabama Crimson Tide -34 ½ (-110) 50 ½ (-110) -23000
