It seems plenty of people are ready to coronate Alabama as a playoff team and looking at the remaining schedule, I understand why. The Crimson Tide have Vanderbilt, Chattanooga and then the Iron Bowl against Auburn at home. That final assignment is hardly guaranteed, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. For now, Alabama's ranking, pedigree and playoff aspirations make it an appealing proposition against a Vanderbilt team that has been difficult to trust. Not long ago, the Commodores were attracting plenty of attention themselves following their shocking victory over NC State. Then came five consecutive defeats: a six-point setback at Auburn, blowout losses to Ole Miss and Georgia, losing to Arkansas of all teams and another blowout loss to Kentucky. Vanderbilt finally stopped the bleeding with a victory at Mississippi State last weekend. That's hardly the form that inspires confidence against a blue blood like Alabama, but it's also why we're getting this many points.
The Tide are a public team by default. Their name carries enormous weight, especially when they're ranked this highly and the playoff conversation is gathering momentum. Vanderbilt, meanwhile, has seen its stock collapse following that five-game skid. Alabama should win this game, but the market is asking us to lay too much lumber here in a spot where Vandy is certainly capable of ruffling feathers.
Alabama vs Vanderbilt prediction: Vanderbilt +15.5 (+104) available at time of publishing. Playable to +15.
