No. 5 Alabama at Vanderbilt: Week 11 preview

No. 5 Alabama (7-2) visits Vanderbilt (4-5) on Sat, Nov 14 · 12:45 PM ET. The line is Alabama −19.5 with a total of 54.5.
SP+ power ratings: Alabama 20.9 (7th), Vanderbilt -1.4 (77th). SP+ projects Alabama by 19.8, including 2.5 points of home field.
The Alabama offense ranks 13th in FBS in EPA per play (+0.25); the Vanderbilt defense ranks 95th (+0.16 allowed). Biggest Alabama edges: success rate, EPA per pass, standard-downs success rate.
The Vanderbilt offense ranks 97th in FBS in EPA per play (+0.05); the Alabama defense ranks 11th (−0.03 allowed). Biggest Vanderbilt edges: explosiveness, passing success rate. The Alabama defense holds the edge in line yards per carry, rushing success rate, second-level yards per carry.
Schedule: Alabama has faced the tougher slate so far (3rd toughest, opp. SP+ +12.1, vs. 36th toughest, opp. SP+ +6.5 for Vanderbilt), a moderate edge.
Pace: projected for about 129 total snaps in regulation (-3.0 vs. the FBS average of 132), a bit slower than average. Single games vary a lot: most land within 12 snaps of the projection.
Weather: Clear, 44°F at kickoff (feels like 37°), 0% chance of rain, wind NW 8 mph gusting to 13.