College Football Predictions 2018: Picks for the biggest games of Week 8

Alabama at Tennessee (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS)

Spread: Alabama -29

The Third Saturday in October got a little more intrigue when Tennessee went to Jordan-Hare Stadium and knocked off Auburn. The win was the sign Jeremy Pruitt was looking for to show that he has the Volunteers moving in the right direction.

Now comes a much bigger test as the top-ranked, undefeated and unchallenged Alabama Crimson Tide invade Neyland Stadium.

This was once one of college football’s premier rivalries, the annual showdown typically providing momentum for the winning side to move toward a conference title. The luster has been lost since Nick Saban’s arrival in Tuscaloosa. He has dominated the third Saturday in October like no other coach, leading the Crimson Tide to an 11-0 mark that has spanned over four Vols head coaches. Most games haven’t been close, with the average scoring margin being 36-11 in favor of the Crimson Tide.

That isn’t likely to change this year as Saban might just be fielding his best team to date, led by the nation’s best quarterback in Tua Tagovailoa and an embarrassment-of-riches at the skill positions. Alabama was even able to iron out some defensive issues in last week’s 39-10 win over Missouri, finally looking like a Saban-era Tide defense.

Tua’s knee injury last week caused a collective gasp across the state, but all seems to be well for the super sophomore heading to Knoxville. Even if he was unable to play, Alabama would have the luxury of turning to Jalen Hurts, the most decorated backup quarterback in college football.

Tennessee will likely utilize a similar offensive game plan that we saw last week against Auburn, looking to test a young Crimson Tide secondary with some jump balls to Jauan Jennings and Josh Palmer. Pruitt knows the inner workings of Saban’s defensive system better than most, so he’ll likely be very involved in the offensive game plan.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see Tennessee hit some chunk plays, but it won’t be enough to keep up with the lethal Alabama offense.

Pick: Alabama 48, Tennessee 17