If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google.
The Alabama Crimson Tide take on the Tennessee Volunteers in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Alabama is favored by -8.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -350. Tennessee, meanwhile, enters as a 8.5 underdog and is +275 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 51.5 total points.
Here’s my Alabama vs. Tennessee prediction and college football pick for Saturday, October 17.
Alabama vs Tennessee Prediction
- Alabama vs. Tennessee Pick: Tennessee +8.5 · Trae'shawn Brown Anytime TD (-120)
My Tennessee vs. Alabama best bet is on the Volunteers to cover the spread and Crimson Tide running back Trae'shawn Brown to score a touchdown. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and be sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Alabama vs Tennessee Odds
| Alabama Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -110 | 51.5 -115o / -105u | -350 |
| Tennessee Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -110 | 51.5 -115o / -105u | +275 |
- Alabama vs Tennessee point spread: Alabama -8.5 (-110), Tennessee +8.5 (-110)
- Alabama vs Tennessee over/under: 51.5 (-115o / -105u)
- Alabama vs Tennessee moneyline: Alabama -350, Tennessee +275
Alabama vs Tennessee College Football Preview
Alabama Crimson Tide Betting Preview: A Tide of Contradictions
Alabama will look to recover from a brutal loss to Georgia in Week 6 as a result of a combination of explosive passes allowed and personal fouls.
Dijon Lee's personal foul at the end of the game cost the Crimson Tide a game against their most important rival on the regular-season schedule.
Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton completed a pass to 10 different targets, ending 18-of-22 with six explosives and an average of 10.5 yards per play through the air.
Alabama has fallen outside the top 50 in Passing Success Rate allowed, giving up 12 receptions over 30 yards this season.
The offense will also look to recover from a passing perspective after quarterback Keelon Russell generated two turnover-worthy plays against the Bulldogs.
Head coach Kalen DeBoer had plenty of success on offense against Georgia, averaging 5.8 yards per play, while six of the Tide's nine possessions saw at least two first downs.
The Crimson Tide rushing attack ranks top-10 nationally in Success Rate and Line Yards, utilizing inside zone, man blocking and power concepts.
Russell hasn't been alone in creating explosives, as running back Daniel Hill averages 3.8 yards after first contact, while Trae'shawn Brown has eight explosives on 51 attempts.
After a dip in production due to injury in 2025, wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams has returned to elite-level play, producing 2.4 yards per route run on 34 targets.
Tennessee Volunteers Betting Preview: Orange Print
Tennessee snapped a 25-year win drought in Fayetteville with a Week 6 win over Arkansas last week.
Quarterback George MacIntyre took over starting duties from true freshman Faizon Brandon, generating mixed numbers for a Tennessee offense that scored 24 points.
MacIntyre posted five explosive passes, a touchdown and two turnover-worthy plays.
The leader of the offense continues to be the running game with DeSean Bishop, averaging 4.4 yards after first contact with eight rushing touchdowns on the season.
New defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has elevated Tennessee's stop unit. No opponent in the first half of the season scored more than 24 points against the Vols.
Through three SEC games against Texas, Auburn and Arkansas, the Volunteers are averaging 17 points allowed.
Knowles utilized Havoc-minded nickel defenses in previous stops at Oklahoma State and Ohio State, and now Tennessee is producing as well, ranking top-10 in Havoc, Passing Success Rate allowed and coverage grading.
The Vols also lead the nation in Passing EPA allowed.
Alabama vs Tennessee Pick, Betting Analysis
The first handicap focuses on how Alabama's defense can stop a run game that features Bishop.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel's offense is a heavy inside zone team with the offensive linemen in wide splits. The Vols have elected to use an additional tight end this season, running inside zone 59 times in 12 personnel against 49 attempts in 11.
Alabama boasts a 47% Success Rate against inside zone when opponents use 12 personnel, a 5% drop from the Success Rate against 11 personnel.
The Crimson Tide have allowed ground explosives this season, ranking 65th in Rush EPA allowed. Tennessee must stay in standard downs with Bishop handling the rock, as the Vols own a Success Rate of just 115th in passing downs.
The next handicap centers on Knowles' defense looking to limit explosives from Russell and a stable full of explosive weapons for the Tide.
Tennessee's shortcomings on defense come against the run, with mediocre ranks in Stuff Rate and Defensive Line Yards. Alabama runs a heavy amount of inside zone, a run concept the Volunteers produce a low 42% Success Rate against.
Brown has a much higher usage on inside zone carries than Hill, so the elusive Tide running back should bust explosives and become an option in scoring position.
Action Network's Betting Power Ratings project Alabama as just a 4.5-point favorite, giving an edge to Tennessee with the current number sitting north of a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide should dominate on the ground, but the Volunteers' top-10 Havoc unit and pass defense could create turnovers and gratuitous field position.
Bishop will have success running against the Tide front with inside zone and two tight ends, potentially creating explosives against an Alabama defense that has been susceptible to allowing them this season.
Pick: Tennessee +8.5 · Trae'shawn Brown Anytime TD (-120)
Alabama vs Tennessee Betting Trends
