3 bold predictions for Alabama football vs. Tennessee

We are just over 48 hours away from Alabama football rekindling its rivalry with Tennessee on the third Saturday in October.

The Crimson Tide won last year's meeting in Tuscaloosa thanks to a 27-0 second half, but the memory of the last trip to Neyland is still fresh in the minds of the players who were on the team in 2022 and all Alabama fans. Losing three points two years ago is the only reason the streak doesn't stop at 17-18.

It's time to make some predictions for the game and we'll start with the bold one.

We made one of last week's three bold predictions. We correctly predicted that the Crimson Tide defense would produce four or more sacks. You got exactly four. It didn't work out so well for the other two.

Ryan Williams' touchdown streak came to an end and Alabama couldn't come up with a non-offensive touchdown.

While getting 1/3 is good in baseball, here at Bama Hammer we strive for better. Perfection may not be realistic, but we would like to be close.

3. Jam Miller is eclipsed 100 yards from scrimmage

In my opinion, Jam Miller has separated himself a bit from Justice Haynes as the Tide's top back. This is no disrespect to Haynes, who is a very good player in his own right, but Alabama's offense just seems better when Miller is on the field.

The junior needs to be more involved in the offense. Alabama's rushing offense thrived with Jalen Milroe running the ball, but he looked a little banged up at the end of the South Carolina game due to the tremendous workload he had to shoulder.

Miller averages more than seven yards per carry and has proven to be a reliable pass catcher out of the backfield.

This prediction is bold as Miller has only surpassed 100 yards receiving once this season. He had 140 rushing yards in the win over USF in Week 2.

Tennessee has one of the best run defenses in the country, so Miller will have to put in a lot of effort to make that happen. I don't expect him to rush for over 100 yards, but I think he'll hit a big ball or two in the passing game and get over 100 combined yards from scrimmage.

2. LT Overton recorded two sacks

LT Overton's breakout game is upon us. I think it could be as early as this week.

Overton only has one sack this season, but that's because he has trouble finishing plays. He continually beats his man at the line of scrimmage. He ranks eighth nationally in pass rush win rate and second in quarterback hurries.

This appears to be a good breakout week as Tennessee struggles to protect QB Nico Iamaleava in SEC play. After giving up just one sack in the first three games of the season, Iamaleava was sacked 10 times in the final three games.

Overton was one of the best pass rushers in the country; He simply doesn't have the stats to match. That will change, and the prediction is that it will change his week and Overton will get two sacks.

1. Kendrick Law scores a knockout return

Kendrick Law will likely play for the second week in a row. The junior WR was announced as the starter for the game against South Carolina last week and went through warmups before the game but was ultimately held out. I can't imagine him missing a third game in a row.

The Tide offense desperately needs him back. His scoring stats don't look like much to the naked eye, but he's been a force as a blocker at the edge, and against a Tennessee run defense that's suffocating in the middle, the ability to hit the perimeter runs will be crucial the Crimson Tide to maintain offensive balance.

It will also be nice to get him back as the primary kickoff returner, as Emmanuel Henderson has looked shaky with his ball security for two weeks in a row.

Law is explosive and nearly broke a touchdown on a kickoff against USF. Of course he ended up fumbling, but I choose to focus on the positive.

Look for Law to return, and good play on special teams will ultimately make the difference in a close game in Knoxville.