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The Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide clash in a Week 8 rivalry matchup dubbed the Third Saturday in October. The SEC contenders are both attempting to make a postseason push as the former is ranked No. 11 in the latest rendition of the AP Top 25 Poll, while the latter is ranked No. 7.
Both programs finished the first half of the season with 5-1 records, including 2-1 marks in conference play. With the postseason field set to expand from four to 12 teams for the first time in 2024, the Volunteers and Crimson Tide are both firmly in the postseason picture.
Here's a closer look at which program has a better chance of making it to the postseason.
Tennessee vs. Alabama: Which SEC powerhouse has better chances of making it to the 12-team playoff?
Tennessee has been elite on both sides of the football. It has averaged 42.2 points per game and 484.5 yards per game, both of which rank No. 9 out of 134 teams in the nation. The Volunteers average 238.3 passing ypg and 246.2 rushing ypg, ranking No. 61 and No. 7, respectively.
Their defense has been even better, allowing just 10.7 ppg and 249.8 ypg, ranking No. 4 and No. 2 in the nation, respectively. The unit has been stingy against both the pass and run, allowing just 170.2 passing ypg and 79.7 rushing ypg, ranking No. 19 and No. 5, respectively.
Meanwhile, Alabama has also been elite offensively, averaging 41.7 ppg and 442.3 ypg, which ranks No. 10 and No. 35, respectively. They also average 263.2 passing ypg and 179.2 rushing ypg, ranking No. 38 and No. 51, respectively.
Their defense has been a middle-of-the-pack unit, however, allowing 20.8 ppg, ranking tied at No. 41. Alabama has given up 342.5 ypg, which ranks No. 55 in the nation. Furthermore, they have allowed 213.3 passing ypg and 129.2 rushing ypg, ranking No. 62 and No. 54, respectively.
While the Volunteers offense and defense have performed slightly better so far this season, the Crimson Tide have a less challenging remaining schedule despite facing more ranked opponents in the second half.
Alabama currently has -330 odds of reaching the postseason, while Tennessee's odds sit at +100. Those marks rank No. 6 and No. 11 in the nation, respectively. The winner of this weekend's contest will likely see their postseason odds get much stronger.
Will the Tennessee Volunteers secure the win and improve to 6-1 at Neyland Stadium on Saturday? Or will Alabama prove too strong to handle on the road? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
