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The Alabama Crimson Tide are still sitting in the top spot in the nation after a 7-0 start to the season and Nick Saban‘s squad doesn’t look like it is slowing down any time soon. With a relatively tough remaining schedule, the Crimson Tide have to game remaining against ranked opponents that could spell their doom when it comes to a national title.
On the other side of the field, the Tennessee Volunteers have not had a very easy schedule to begin the season. In fact, this team has played four ranked opponents in the first eight weeks, beating their first one in week eight — the South Carolina Gamecocks — to improve to 4-3 on the season.
Alabama has to be the clear-cut favorite to win the national title right now and that’s due in large part to senior quarterback AJ McCarron and his ability to lead this team. The Tide have two-straight titles and the senior quarterback is trying to make it three. McCarron has 1,587 yards and 14 touchdowns on the season while the run game hasn’t been too shabby either behind T.J. Yeldon who has 657 yards and seven touchdowns.
Tennessee doesn’t have the best offensive attack out there. Missing quarterback Tyler Bray considerably, Tennessee’s passing offense has struggled behind the arm of Justin Worley. The first-year starter has 1,119 yards and 10 touchdowns for the 109th-ranked passing offense in the nation. The run game has been a completely different story as Rajion Neal has rushed for 693 yards and eight touchdowns for the Volunteers’ 37th-ranked run offense.
Defensively, the Crimson Tide are one of the best units in the nation — like always. Giving up just 9.7 points per game, the Tide rank first nationally in that category. In terms of yards allowed per game, the Crimson Tide rank fifth in the nation. Tennessee is not quite as solid. The Volunteers rank 65th in points allowed per game as well as 91st in yards allowed per game with well over 400.
Tennessee will travel to Alabama to take on the Crimson Tide at 3:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct. 26. The game will be broadcasted on CBS.
PREDICTION: Tennessee 13, Alabama 37
Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .