Joel Klatt Predicts Alabama vs. Vanderbilt Score in Week 6 Showdown

The Alabama Crimson Tide is preparing to face the Vanderbilt Commodores in a highly anticipated matchup this Saturday. The game will take place at Bryant-Denny Stadium, where Alabama holds a strong home advantage. Currently, Alabama is ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25, while Vanderbilt sits at No. 16. Both teams have recorded impressive starts to their seasons, with Alabama at 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the SEC, and Vanderbilt boasting a perfect 5-0 record and also 1-0 in the conference.
Key Matchup Insights
Last year, Vanderbilt achieved a remarkable 40-35 victory over Alabama, raising questions about whether the Crimson Tide can reclaim dominance this time. Joel Klatt, a lead analyst at Fox Sports, shared his thoughts on the upcoming game in a recent podcast episode. He noted that even after Alabama’s narrow 24-21 win against Georgia, challenges remain for the Tide.
Alabama’s Performance Analysis
Klatt highlighted some weaknesses in Alabama’s performance. The team has struggled in the running game, recording under 100 rushing yards in two games. In their recent game against Georgia, Alabama managed only 117 rushing yards at an average of 3.1 yards per carry. Notably, no player surpassed 50 rushing yards during the contest.
- Alabama rushing stats against Georgia: 117 yards
- Average rushing: 3.1 yards per carry
- Quarterback Ty Simpson threw for 276 yards with two touchdowns
Additionally, Alabama’s defense has shown vulnerabilities in shutting down the run, allowing a total of 227 rushing yards to Georgia and 230 in their season-opening defeat against Florida State.
Vanderbilt’s Offensive Strength
Vanderbilt enters the game with the fourth-ranked scoring offense in the nation, averaging 49 points per game. Quarterback Diego Pavia has been a key player, throwing for 1,211 yards and 13 touchdowns. He had an impressive outing last week, throwing for a season-high 321 yards against Utah State.
- Diego Pavia’s passing yards: 1,211
- Touchdowns: 13
- Average points per game: 49.0
In their previous matchup with Alabama, Pavia threw for 252 yards and rushed for an additional 56 yards, showcasing his dual-threat capability. Klatt pointed out that Pavia’s ability to extend drives could be instrumental in the game.
Game Prediction: Alabama vs. Vanderbilt
Klatt expects a close contest, acknowledging that the point spread favors Alabama by 10.5 points. However, he has confidence in Alabama’s home advantage, where they have won 35 of their last 36 games since 2015.
Despite his predictions, Klatt respects Vanderbilt’s potential to challenge Alabama. He predicts a final score of 31-21 in favor of Alabama, suggesting the Commodores will keep the game competitive.
The kickoff for this eagerly awaited game is set for 2:30 PM on Saturday, with coverage on ABC.
Upcoming Alabama Football Schedule
Date | Opponent | Result |
---|---|---|
Aug. 30 | at Florida State | L, 31-17 |
Sept. 6 | vs. UL Monroe | W, 73-0 |
Sept. 13 | vs. Wisconsin | W, 38-14 |
Sept. 27 | at Georgia | W, 24-21 |
Oct. 4 | vs. Vanderbilt | TBD |
Oct. 11 | at Missouri | TBD |
Oct. 18 | vs. Tennessee | TBD |
Oct. 25 | at South Carolina | TBD |
Nov. 8 | vs. LSU | TBD |
Nov. 15 | vs. Oklahoma | TBD |
Nov. 22 | vs. Eastern Illinois | TBD |
Nov. 29 | at Auburn | TBD |