National media outlet gives score prediction for Alabama Crimson Tide vs Tennessee Vols

The Tennessee Vols are set to return to Neyland Stadium this weekend for a huge showdown with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Tennessee and Alabama will enter the game in similar positions -- both teams are 5-1 and both teams suffered unexpected losses earlier this season followed by narrow wins in home games where both were heavily favored.

The winner of this game will control its own playoff destiny in the second half of the season while the loser will likely need some help to get into the 12-team College Football Playoff.

247Sports' Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer made their predictions this week for the Alabama/Tennessee matchup and they both have the Crimson Tide winning a close one.

Crawford has Bama winning 28-24 while Hummer has the Tide winning 27-24.

From 247Sports' Chris Hummer : I trust Alabama more this week. The Tide have the better quarterback, better skill pieces and a secondary that will make things difficult on Nico Iamaleava. The only that gives me pause is Alabama's offensive front, which has had some shaky moments this year, which is a problem against the Vols' elite defensive front. Still, I just don't see a one-dimensional offense being able to expose the Tide.

This game feels like a complete toss-up based on the way these two teams have played lately. There isn't a potential outcome in this matchup that would surprise me.

Related: Florida HC Billy Napier says Tennessee Vols defender made an 'incredible play' against the Gators