Free Live Odds - Scores and Odds - Sports News - Sports Information - Live Scores - Sports Statistics - Sports Articles - Sports Standings - Live Scor

GAME NOTES: The second-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide have yet to be tested this season, and they are heavily favored this weekend as the Vanderbilt Commodores come to town for an SEC tilt.

Vanderbilt opened its season with three consecutive victories, including a 30-7 romp over Ole Miss to open SEC action. Unfortunately, the Commodores failed to move to 2-0 in league play, as they dropped a 21-3 decision to South Carolina last time out. It has been two weeks since that tilt, so expect a well-rested group on Saturday for first-year head coach James Franklin.

"We got a long ways to go, we got a lot of work to do, no different than what I've been saying each week and we faced a talented team tonight and it showed," said Franklin after that South Carolina game.

The competition level actually increases this weekend with Alabama, which has outscored its opponents 192-42 en route to a 5-0 record. The Crimson Tide rolled past Florida by a 38-10 final last weekend, turning what was expected to be a close game into a laugher.

"There are obviously a lot of things we can do better, but this is about as good as it gets for us to be able to come out on the road and get a big win like this," said Saban.

Alabama owns a commanding 58-19-4 series advantage over Vanderbilt, which includes a 24-10 win in the most recent meeting back in 2007.

It is hard to imagine Vanderbilt playing any worse offensively than it did against South Carolina last time out. The Commodores failed to score a single touchdown and finished with a mere 77 total yards, including four on the ground, embarrassing numbers to say the least. They turned the ball over three times and surrendered six sacks.

"We got into a situation where we couldn't protect and we couldn't block in the running game," said Franklin. "It's hard to call a game if you can't protect and you can't run the ball."

Give the Vanderbilt defense some credit for its effort against South Carolina, as the Commodore defenders were able to limit the Gamecocks to 21 points despite spending the majority of the game on the field. Vandy came up with four interceptions in the tilt and permitted a mere 3.3 yards per rushing attempt, but it simply wasn't enough to avoid defeat.

Overall this season, Vanderbilt is scoring 25.5 ppg despite gaining a mere 258.0 total ypg. Quarterback Larry Smith won't scare Alabama with his numbers to date, as he has connected on 57.5 percent of his passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns against three interceptions. There isn't a major threat at wide receiver, so the Tide will likely concentrate on stopping tailback Zac Stacy, who has 280 rushing yards to his credit.

Opponents are posting 15.8 ppg and 279.2 total ypg against a game Vanderbilt defense. Coach Franklin has to be proud of the fact that his squad is yielding only 97.0 rushing ypg at a clip of 2.7 yards per carry. Perhaps the most impressive stats of all involve the pass defense, as opposing quarterbacks have just three passing scores with 14 picks, four of which belong to Casey Hayward.

Moving the ball and scoring points has looked easy for Alabama, which is posting 38.4 ppg and 438.0 total ypg through the first five outings. The Crimson Tide have run the ball at will, pounding out 229.8 ypg with an average of 6.0 ypc. It all starts with the offensive line, and that group has opened big holes for Heisman hopeful Trent Richardson. Already, Richardson has amassed 622 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns, while Eddie Lacy has added 397 yards and five scores while averaging a ridiculous 8.6 ypc. Quarterback A.J. McCarron has been solid, connecting on 62.5 percent of his passes for 919 yards and four touchdowns with two interceptions.

Alabama was fully expected to be one of the nation's elite defensive teams entering this season, so it comes as no surprise that the club is limiting opponents to 8.4 ppg and 191.6 total ypg. Stopping the run has been a breeze for the Tide, who have held foes to 39.6 rushing ypg. Also, opposing quarterbacks have been held far below a .500 completion percentage with more interceptions than touchdowns.

Richardson exploded for a career-high 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Florida last weekend.

"Offensively we controlled the line of scrimmage," said Saban. "The offensive line did a fantastic job and Trent [Richardson], obviously, did a very good job of running the ball."

Meanwhile, Alabama limited Florida to nine first downs and 222 total yards in what was another stellar effort by the defense.

There is no reason to expect this tilt to be close, as Alabama is far superior to Vanderbilt in every area. The Commodores will be fortunate to score even a field goal in this affair, as they seemingly have no chance of reaching the end zone.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Alabama 34, Vanderbilt 3