Gambling makes every game important nowadays, but the Tennessee-UAB contest has importance far beyond just a penchant for picking up some spare change.

While it could be said for most any game played by a championship contender (and I believe the Vols are one this season), Tennessee’s matchup against the Blazers can show just what the Vols are made of.

A mature, ready-to-be-battle-tested team will cover the 38.5-point spread with ease and prove they have put the Georgia loss, frustrating as it was, behind them. That doesn’t mean I’m ready to write off the season if the Vols don’t cover.

However, I’ll feel much more certain about my ascertain that this team is a true national championship contender if they properly take care of business on Saturday. This Tennessee football team also has the feel of a team that is a bit more mature than its collections of bio sheets might indicate.

The Vols are led by a sixth-year former junior college standout who has played more than his fair share of college football. Surely, he can lead this team past the Bulldog loss, right? If so, Tennessee might have something special.

Tennessee had best put the Blazers away early for the betterment of the rest of the season. UT has already had more than its fair share of injuries and desperately need some time to get healthy.

A one-sided contest can only help the Vols accomplish that by giving Tennessee’s entire football team more time to rest. That can matter in late November.

This Tennessee-UAB game could certainly end up becoming an ugly slugfest, but that would surprise me. The Vols seem intent on placing their stamp on the season, and that continues on Saturday in Neyland Stadium.

It’s also worth noting that Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel loves running up the score on these types of opponents with these types of offenses. If Heupel can, he’ll make sure the Vols cover the spread.

Prediction: Tennessee 53 UAB 10