The latest edition of “The Third Saturday in October” takes place in Tuscaloosa, AL on Saturday, as the Alabama Crimson Tide host the Tennessee Volunteers in SEC football action. A rivalry which Alabama has dominated recently, Tennessee snapped their 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide a year ago in Knoxville by picking up a 52-49 win, which was their first in the lengthy rivalries history since 2006.
Led by head coach Nick Saban, Alabama is ranked as the nation’s No. 11 team according to the AP Poll, and are sitting at 6-1 overall this season, as well as undefeated at 4-0 in SEC play. Alabama also enters Saturday on a five-game winning streak, which includes a 24-21 win over Arkansas a week ago in Tuscaloosa.
The Crimson Tide offensively are currently averaging 30.1 PPG, and are led by quarterback Jalen Milroe. Alabama also has one of the SEC’s top running back duos in Jase McClellan and Roydell Williams, as well as a deep receiving group headlined by the likes of Jermaine Burton, Isaiah Bond, Amari Niblack, and Kobe Prentice.
On the opposite side of the ball, Alabama’s defense is one of the best in SEC football allowing only 16 PPG to opponents, and feature one of the nation’s top pass rushing duos in Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell at outside linebacker. Also among the top players on that side of the ball are top tacklers such as Caleb Downs, Trezmen Marshall, Jaylen Key, Deontae Lawson, and Terrion Arnold, as well as one of the nation’s top cornerbacks in Kool-Aid McKinstry.
Led by head coach Josh Heupel, Tennessee is ranked as the nation’s No. 17 team according to the AP Poll, and are sitting at 5-1 overall for the year, as well as 2-1 in SEC play. The Volunteers have also won three-straight games, which includes a 20-13 home win over Texas A&M last week.
Offensively, the Volunteers are averaging 33.5 PPG so far this season, and are led on that side of the ball by quarterback Joe Milton III. Tennessee has three primary running backs who have seen time this season in Jaylen Wright, Jabari Small, and Dylan Sampson, while the receiving game is headlined by the duo of Squirrel White and Ramel Keyton.
The Volunteers also have one of the SEC’s top defenses allowing only 17 PPG to opponents, and are led in tackles by the duo of Aaron Beasley and Elijah Herring. Tennessee also has a standout pass rushing duo in James Pearce Jr. and Tyler Baron, who have combined for 11 sacks so far this year, while others such as Wesley Walker, Tamarion McDonald, Jaylen McCollough, and Kamal Hadden are also key names to know.
Alabama vs. Tennessee Line, Spread, Over/Under
As of Monday night, Alabama is an 8.5-point favorite over Tennessee according to FanDuel, with the over/under at 46.5. The Crimson Tide are at -330, while Tennessee is +260.
Alabama vs. Tennessee SEC Football Prediction
One of the most anticipated SEC football games of the year, the pick to win this rivalry matchup Saturday night in Tuscaloosa is Alabama. A game that will likely not be near as high-scoring as last seasons matchup, but more of a low-scoring and defensive contest, I’ll say that the Crimson Tide avenge last years defeat in Knoxville, and pickup a big SEC win going into their bye week. Prediction: Alabama 30, Tennessee 20
What Channel is the Alabama vs. Tennessee Game On?
In what is called “The Third Saturday in October,” No. 11 Alabama will host No. 17 Tennessee on Saturday, October 21 from Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL. The game will begin at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.
Alabama vs. Tennessee Live Stream
Alabama vs. Tennessee can be found here on fuboTV.
Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change