FOX Sports college football analyst and personality Joel Klatt gave his prediction for this weekend’s Third Saturday in October rivalry between Tennessee and Alabama on Thursday.
For two specific reasons, Klatt is picking Alabama to topple Tennessee by a score of 24-20 in Neyland Stadium.
Klatt’s reasoning for picking Alabama over Tennessee is two-fold. On one hand, the Fox Sports analyst simply believes that the Crimson Tide’s defense is in better shape for a bounce-back game after giving up 66 combined points to Vanderbilt and South Carolina over the last two weeks. The defense is not Alabama’s strength, particularly on the ground, but the last two weeks specifically have been well below the Tide’s normal standard.
“What I’m trying to tell you is that it’s much easier for a defense to try to correct wrongs and get better than it is an offense to correct wrongs and get better,” Klatt said about Alabama’s defense and Tennessee’s offense, two units struggling in recent weeks. “So if you’re seeing both of these units struggle a little bit, where would you put money on one of them improving? Mine would be Bama’s defense.”
Klatt noted his concerns with Tennessee’s offense and their quarterback, stating the reasons why he believes Nico Iamaleava is struggling including holding onto the ball too long and not being anticipatory enough before his throws.
“That spells bad news for Tennessee,” Klatt said.
More from RTI: Three Keys as Tennessee Hosts Alabama In Rivalry Showdown
Klatt wrapped up his six-minute game preview with the other reason as to why he’s picking Alabama over Tennessee. Aside from Alabama’s defensive issues and Tennessee’s offensive issues, Klatt is going with who he trusts more to lead their team to a win in this quasi-playoff-type scenario.
“I trust Jalen Milroe more than I trust Nico Iamaleava,” Klatt said to close down the preview.
Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for live, on-site coverage of the Third Saturday in October clash at 3:30 p.m. from Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Check out everything Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt said about the Tennessee-Alabama game this weekend in Knoxville below:
