Alabama vs Tennessee Picks and Predictions for Saturday October 17 2026
Alabama and Tennessee are set to face off on Saturday October 17, 2026 at 3:30 PM EST. The game is taking place at Neyland Stadium which is located in Knoxville, Tennessee. The game does have conflicting coverage as it could be on ABC or ESPN, depending on which network picks up the game. The last meeting between these two teams was in 2025 and seen Alabama winning 37-20. This game is set to have mostly sunny weather and 60 degrees predicted in the forecast. On the lines the Alabama team is favored on the spread at -4.5 for a -115 while the Vols are sitting at +4.5 and a +105. The total is set only at 56.5, which could be impressive depending on which one of these teams offenses actually show up. Make sure you are ready for all the college football action with our free college football picks.
Alabama Look To Respond After Georgia Defeat
Alabama is coming to this game here after a loss to the Bulldogs in their last game in a thrilling 20-17 loss. The loss dropped Alabama to a 5-1 record overall. However, the Crimson Tide made sure that the loss was ultra competitive and really put Georgia to the paces before finally dropping the game.
The offense for the Alabama team is coming in with 44.2 points per game scored on average. The Tide have picked up 2,717 total yards with 1,622 in the air and 1,095 on the ground. This has worked out to an average of 270.3 per game in the air and 182.5 per game on the ground in the 6 games. Defensively the Alabama team is giving up only 20.7 points per game.
Now, the leader for the Tide offense has been Keelon Russell who has thrown for 1,599 yards on the year and 12 touchdowns on the year, but has only been picked 2 times. Trae’shawn Brown is putting in a total of 5.9 yards per carry so far on the ground.
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Tennessee Volunteers Look To Defend Neyland Stadium
The Vols are coming to this game here sitting on a 5-1 mark on the season as well. The Volunteers were pushed on the road in the last game on the field. Arkansas, the Vols opponent, ended up getting close to knocking Tennessee off by a score of 24-17.
The offense for Tennessee has only managed to get 34.7 points per game. This comes off of 2,489 total yards and a total of only 1,119 in the air and 1,370 on the ground. The defense for the Volunteers has been among the best in the nation giving up only 15.5 points per game. However, on the per game the Vols are getting 186.5 yards in the air and 228.3 on the ground.
DeSean Bishop has looked impressive carrying 678 rushing yards on the year with a total of 8 touchdowns, which has converted to a total of 6.3 yards per game. The quarterback position has a lot of question marks for Tennessee as the passing production has not been that impressive and it seems that Faizon Brandon may be injured with a shoulder question mark, but that could lead to an opportunity for George MacIntyre
Alabama vs Tennessee Picks and Prediction
Tennessee Volunteers +4.5
Tennessee has an important tactical advantage in its running game, averaging more than 228 rushing yards per contest. Alabama recently struggled against Georgia's rushing attack, suggesting Tennessee could create similar problems if it controls early downs. The Volunteers also have the better points-allowed average and are playing at Neyland Stadium, where they have won the last two home meetings against Alabama.
Alabama has the more productive overall offense, and Tennessee's quarterback uncertainty presents legitimate danger. This selection is dependent on the Volunteers maintaining sufficient quarterback efficiency to prevent Alabama from concentrating entirely on stopping the run.
Under 56.5 Points.
Although Alabama averages 44.2 points and Tennessee 34.7, both defenses have demonstrated substantial ability to limit scoring. Alabama was held to 17 by Georgia, while Tennessee allows only 15.5 points per game. Tennessee's potential reliance on a run-heavy approach could also shorten the game by maintaining longer possessions. Weather is not currently a major influence, so the under argument rests primarily on defensive performance, offensive efficiency against better competition, and Tennessee's quarterback uncertainty.
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