Alabama football: Can Tide avoid disappointment against Vandy?

Happy Friday everyone. As you know, Alabama will try to stay hot on the road tomorrow at Vanderbilt. There isn't a lot of national intrigue in this film, so the previews are a bit sparse. Here's what we have.

Alabama must screw up.

For Vanderbilt, being flawless isn't enough. It takes at least two takeaways. The team is 2-0 when it has won the turnover margin and 0-2 when it has not.

Alabama's defense was able to get multiple takeaways in three of the four games. The outlier was the win over USF, which was close until a late blowout, and that might be why.

Vandy will have a few good moments and then reality will set in.

Alabama 42, Vanderbilt 13

No. 1 Alabama at Vanderbilt (4:15 p.m., SECN). The last time we saw Vanderbilt, the Commodores were in the process of defeating Missouri on the road. They have exceeded the SP+ projections by at least three touchdowns three times and have fallen short by such a margin once. They're unpredictable…but this series usually isn't: Bama has won the last three games by a combined 148-3. A Bama hangover and Vandy's angry offer would lay an incredible foundation for a wild October. I don't expect it.

Current line: Bama -22.5 (from -24.5) | SP+ forecast: Bama at 23.2 | FPI forecast: Bama until 22.3

No. 2 Alabama 45, Vanderbilt 10: In the days following Alabama's dramatic win over Georgia, the Crimson Tide coaching staff preached Vanderbilt as a “rat trap game” that deserved the team's full attention. It's safe to assume that Alabama won't miss a beat against the Commodores, as Jalen Milroe, Ryan Williams and Co. pick up right where they left off in the final moments against the Bulldogs.

It's possible that the Crimson Tide could have a somewhat disappointing game, but Vanderbilt isn't factoring that into its preparations.

Led by quarterback Jalen Milroe, Alabama has five top-100 prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Pro Football Focus. That list also includes three offensive linemen and a safety.

Milroe is also one of the favorites for the Heisman Trophy with 964 passing yards and 10 touchdowns as well as 273 rushing yards and eight touchdowns.

Alabama 48, Vanderbilt 14: There are a few games on Vanderbilt's schedule that are an uphill battle, and this is one of them.

I think everyone here will be looking for the same things, at least from Alabama's perspective. Can the Tide avoid emotional disappointment after a big win over Georgia and a week in which they were showered with effusive praise? This Vandy team is brave enough to cause problems when the Tide's execution isn't what it should be, and the quarterback in particular is a pain to defend.

Assuming Alabama actually plays, I'll call this game 45-13. Of course that's just my opinion. Vote and let us know what you think in the comments.

Colin Gay has a little series story for you. It's been a minute since the Tide lost in Nashville.

Alabama vs. Vanderbilt: When was the Crimson Tide's last road loss to the Commodores?

Alabama's last loss to Vanderbilt in Nashville came in the 1969 season, when the Crimson Tide finished 6-5 overall.

The Commodores were the Crimson Tide's first loss of the season after wins against Virginia Tech, Southern Miss and Ole Miss. Vanderbilt secured the 14-10 win over Alabama with a touchdown from Watson Brown to Jim Cunningham in the fourth quarter.

Watson Brown became the first head coach in NCAA history to lose 200 games. He also defeated Nick Saban and spoiled LSU's home game in 2000.

Finally, Deontae Lawson likes the new defensive system, which allows the linebackers to be more disruptive in the passing lanes.

It took him a few seconds to think about it, but as a sheepish grin spread across his face, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson admitted he's had more fun playing in the new defensive system under defensive coordinator Kane Wommack over the past three years playing under Nick Saban.

“With Coach Saban’s plan, it was more like game coverage. So you would have a man at some point throughout the play. And with Coach Wommack's defense, there is more screen coverage and zone. It allows you to keep an eye on the quarterback and react to him. I think as a linebacker on this defense, it’s just a defense that I can play in and I really like that.”

That's it for today. I wish you a great weekend.

Roll Tide.