Three weeks ago, this was viewed as a possible National Championship preview as the Alabama Crimson Tide travel to Knoxville, TN to face off with the Tennessee Volunteers.
However, recent upset losses on the road have dimmed down expectations for both teams — but it hasn't put a damper on my best Alabama vs. Tennessee player props, as this game has shootout potential as both teams have a ton of offensive talent.
My college football picks for this game are keying in on Jalen Milroe and Nico Iamaleava, mixing in some Overs and Unders. If you want a more complete breakdown of this game, check out Andrew Caley's full Alabama vs. Tennessee predictions.
Alabama vs Tennessee props for Week 8
- Iamaleava Under 20.5 rushing yards (-115 at BetMGM)
- Iamaleava Over 1.5 passing touchdowns (+155 at BetMGM)
- Milroe Over 227.5 passing yards (-115 at BetMGM)
Picks made on 10-19.
Read full analysis of each pick.
Alabama vs Tennessee college football player props
Prop bet #1: Nico Iamaleava Under 20.5 rushing yards
The Alabama defense has been dreadful since halftime of the Georgia game a month ago. However, they have been able to rush the passer well and generate sacks.
They didn't sack Diego Pavia against Vanderbilt two weeks ago but they still held the dual-threat QB to only 2.8 yards per carry. Against another running QB in South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers (and even backup Robby Ashford) last week, 'Bama logged four sacks and held Sellers to 19 yards on 16 carries and Ashford to 11 yards on two carries.
Now they face a first-year starter in Iamaleava who looked incredible in non-conference games but has struggled since starting SEC play.
Nico has 15, 17, and one rushing yards on eight, 11, and eight carries in his three SEC games. Much of that is from pressure forcing him into getting rid of the ball quickly... or taking a sack.
He was sacked 10 times in those three games, and the Tide will be getting after him in this one — taking away any chance for him to surpass this rushing number.
Prop bet #2: Nico Iamaleava Over 1.5 passing touchdowns
Nico’s struggles in SEC play are giving us a great number here: Plus money against a great matchup.
Alabama ranks 63rd in the country in passing defense and has allowed eight passing touchdowns on the season. Eight touchdowns in six games may seem good... but that number is skewed by allowing only one in their first three non-conference games.
All three of Bama's SEC games saw the opposing quarterback throw for multiple touchdowns and with this week's total almost a full touchdown higher than any of those matchups, there is a solid chance both quarterbacks will let it fly.
Iamaleava hasn't thrown for two touchdowns in a game since September 7 and was completely shut out of the endzone in each of the last two games. However, the Bama defense is going to do everything it can to shut down the run game (from both Nico and Dylan Sampson), which should leave opportunities for passing touchdowns against a bad passing defense.
Prop bet #3: Jalen Milroe Over 227.5 passing yards
Milroe has taken a big leap forward in his Junior year. After finishing sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting with 218 passing yards per game last year, he's increased that to 247.2 this season, with his quarterback rating also jumping from 172.2 to 191.
Tennessee's passing defense looks good on paper, in terms of yardage allowed in the season, but it has been mediocre in SEC play — against three QBs nowhere near Milroe's level.
The Vols allowed 125 yards on 15 attempts to Graham Mertz last week before he got injured, and Taylen Green logged 266 yards two weeks ago in an otherwise low-scoring game.
Milroe did struggle a bit against South Carolina last week but the Gamecocks are a better defense overall, with a great pass rush, and he still had 209 yards. Before that, he threw for 310 against Vandy and 374 against Georgia.
With the possibility this game could become a shootout, as he goes toe-to-toe with Nico, the script is there for a big passing game.
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