The Sideline Report Special Edition: Tennessee vs. Alabama - It's Rivalry Time

Rivalry Picks—Joel

Boston College @ Notre Dame: BC has outscored opponents 195-72 in five home games. In their two road games, they have been outscored 73-21. Given the national media’s love affair with Jimmy Clausen, he’ll catapult to the top of the Heisman race after this blowout. Notre Dame, 38-13.

James’s Take: Notre Dame has been the luckiest team this year against some pretty bad opponents. Boston College doesn't have the D to stop Jimmy Clausen from putting up some big numbers. ND, 38-21.

Oklahoma @ Kansas: Kansas has beaten up on patsies most of the year. Oklahoma is still extremely stout on defense. Backup QB Landry Jones has filled in admirably for Bradford. Oklahoma, 27-14.

James’s Take: If not for losing to a horrid Colorado team last week I might have picked KU in this game to pull it off, but they did lose and Oklahoma’s D showed they are back. Okla., 27-20

Texas @ Missouri: UPSET SPECIAL: This is a HUGE game for the Longhorns. I have not been impressed with Texas at all this season. A win here would make Missouri’s season. The Tigers get it done, 24-23.

James’s Take: Texas has looked very shaky this year in every game thus far. They have always come back in the second half and beaten down the other teams. I have to go against you on this one. Texas, 24-17

Iowa @ Michigan State: UPSET SPECIAL II: I’m going for broke. Michigan State ended Michigan’s winning streak a few weeks ago, but this upset will have national ramifications. Michigan State, 23-16.

James’s Take: Iowa has been exactly the team that could potentially win it all this year. Not flashy, sound on defense, and does just enough on offense to score more than the other team. Hawkeyes, 18-13

Clemson @ Miami: Miami has a great chance to prove they are the class of the ACC this week. If this one goes like the rest of the ACC has gone this season, Clemson will win. I think Miami is the exception, though. ‘Canes, 30-21.

James’s Take: There isn't another conference that is more "Jekyll and Hyde" than the ACC. No one knows what's going to happen from week to week. I do know Miami will be tested in this game. Hurricanes, 24-21

Joel's record last week: 7-3 (4-1 on his own picks, 3-2 on James's)

Joel's overall record: 26-14 (13-7 on his own picks, 13-7 on James's)

Rivalry Picks—James

TCU @ BYU: The Horned Frogs are the best chance for the MWC to make a BCS Bowl game this year. BYU, however, has been more battle-tested. I
give this game to the home team. BYU, 30-21.

Joel’s Take: I agree. BYU has faced much stiffer competition this season. Being at home gives the Cougars the win, 24-16.

LSU vs. Auburn: After starting 5-0 the Auburn Tigers have hit a wall. Although LSU has a bad offense, Auburn lost to a very bad Kentucky team. LSU, 17-10.

Joel’s Take: I’m not so sure Kentucky is “very bad.” Auburn was playing way out of their league at 5-0. They are simply not that great. LSU, however, has not impressed me at all this year. I’m taking LSU to lose for the second time, at home, at night, this season. Auburn, 16-14.

Penn State @ Michigan: Penn State is another team that has struggled on offense. The Nitney Lions have relied on their D to win games for them. They will be tested by a pretty good offense led by Tate Forcier. Michigan gets back on track with the upset, 24-18.

Joel’s Take: Penn State has not won at Ann Arbor since 1996. The Wolverines will do everything in their power to make sure that continues this season. I agree that Forcier and company do just that. Michigan, 30-23.

Pitt vs. South Florida: South Florida ran into a good Cincy team that took them to the woodshed last week. Pitt, on the other hand, held on to beat a decent
Rutgers team. Look for another high-scoring affair. S. Florida, 33-30.

Joel’s Take: Once again, I have to disagree. I think Pitt has played pretty well considering the talent they lost to the NFL. South Florida simply could not muster anything against Cincinnati. Same goes this week, Pitt wins 27-20.

Arkansas @ Ole Miss: The hogs showed that despite giving up points by the dozen early in the season, they do have a defense. Just ask the Gators. Ole Miss, on the other hand, can't score on a halfway-decent D. Hogs take the game, and third in the SEC West, 28-20.

Joel’s Take: To be quite honest, I can see these Hogs finishing second in the SEC West this season. That journey begins this week with another huge win for the Hogs. Arkansas, 26-14.

James's record last week: 7-3 (3-2 on his own picks, 4-1 on Joel's)

James's overall record: 26-14 (13-7 on his own picks, 13-7 on Joel's)

Three Reasons Tennessee will beat ‘Bama

1. Defense

Tennessee’s defense has shut down most opponents this season—the only exception being Auburn, who took advantage of a tired defense because of an inept offense.

Other than that, Tennessee has been virtually impenetrable to anyone not named Tebow. The Tide runners do not fumble the ball, though. Turnovers may be hard to come by if they run it all day long. I, however, do not think they will.

This secondary, led by Eric Berry, will be ready for anything McElroy throws at them Saturday. The defensive front and linebackers will be ready to stop Mark “Heisman” Ingram as well.

2. Jonathan Crompton Reborn

I’ll wait until you stop laughing. Done yet? OK. Jonathan Crompton did the unthinkable against Georgia. He was the SEC Offensive Player of the Week and the AT&T All-America Player of the Week after throwing for 308 yards and four touchdowns on 20-of-27 attempts.

Blame that on Georgia’s defense or their inability to adjust if you want to. The bottom line is Georgia was not ready to see that from Crompton. They geared for the run, just as Alabama will do on Saturday.

Crompton and the roll-out/play-action play will make ‘Bama respect the throw in the second half, when RB Montario Hardesty will take over on the ground.

3. The Coaches

SEC fans hate Lane Kiffin. I won’t say it is totally undeserved, either. Hate him if you will, but the fact is the guy can coach. He outsmarted the dean of SEC coaches, Mark Richt, two weeks ago.

Outsmarting Nick Saban is a whole nother task in itself. That’s where Monte Kiffin comes in. Monte is a defensive guru and this defense is talented enough to give Saban and Co. fits all day long.

Lane Kiffin will do just enough after Tennessee’s defense and special teams give him a short field more than once on Saturday.

Joel's Final Prediction

Alabama is banged up after seven solid weeks of physically dominating any and all challengers. That will catch up to any team after a while, especially when that team plays in the SEC. The Vols are coming off a bye and are rested and ready to go. Tennessee wins, 17-16.

Alabama wins because...

1. Defense

Alabama’s defense has terrorized opposing offenses all year. Jevan Snead was picked off four times, Tyrod Taylor was sacked five times, and the Tide is giving up a mere 229 yards of total offense per game.

Led by Rolando McClain, Terrance Cody, and company, this defense hasn’t allowed an opposing offense to score a touchdown in the last 130 minutes of play.

That doesn't bode well for a Vols team that, up until the Georgia game, has been "OK" at best. Alabama will get to Crompton just as they have every other offense thus far.

2. Mark Ingram and Co.

Alabama’s stable of running backs has been wearing down defenses all season long. Mark Ingram showed last week against Carolina’s defense they take over by the fourth quarter.

Ingram had 172 yards rushing against a good Rebels defense and 246 against South Carolina. If he needs a break, Bama’s three-deep ground attack will pick right up where he left off. Trent Richardson and Roy Upchurch have been effective in wearing down defenses, along with Ingram, all season long.

UT's defense is as good as any in nation, but Bama's defense will keep UT's defense on the field most of the game, allowing the rushing attack to wear them out.

3. Coaching

Coaching has been a big part of Bama’s success this year. Everyone knows that Nick Saban is a great coach, but his offensive and defensive coordinators have helped the Tide return as a national contender.

Kirby Smart has the Tide defense flying all over the field and has shut down any offense that comes against them. They are allowing 63 yards a game on the ground and haven't allowed 200 yards through the air in a single game.

Georgia didn't pressure Crompton in Tennessee’s last game, but I assure you he might be seeing crimson jerseys in his sleep. And if Hardesty can't get the running game started, it's going to be a long night for the Vols.

James's Final Prediction

Alabama has a bye week following this game, so I believe they will be focused on handling the hated Vols. The defense will be too much for Tennessee’s offense and ‘Bama will wear down the Vols defense. 'Bama, 27-10

1. That I couldn't have been more wrong about Terrelle Pryor and Ohio State this season. Jim Tressel needs to re-evaluate some things or he will be out of a job soon.

2. Mark Ingram is the top Heisman candidate in all of college football. If he keeps putting up big numbers, he should be the first Heisman winner in the history of Alabama football. (Wow, that's a crazy statement.)

3. Iowa plays gritty, tough football. They would be a formidable challenge to any top SEC school, despite what the SEC-lovers say. They play just like Alabama does.

4. Florida was the beneficiary of more terrible calls again this weekend. But Arkansas still had many chances to win and couldn't get it done. In the end, championship teams win those kind of games.

5. Maybe I'm crazy or suffering from Big Orangitis, but my Vols have a chance to shock the world Saturday. Go Vols!!!

1. Alabama

2. Florida

3. Texas

4. Cincinnati

5. USC

6. Iowa

7. Boise State

8. TCU

9. Oregon

10. Miami

11. Georgia Tech

12. Virginia Tech

13. LSU

14. Oklahoma State

15. Penn State