It’s another key game in the SEC, possibly with even bigger implications, when Tennessee takes on Alabama Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa.
The Crimson Tide beat the Volunteers 15 times in a row until last year when Tennessee won a crazy game in Knoxville. Can the Vols do it again? And who’s the smart bet for this contest?
NCAAF Betting Odds
This week’s college football betting market opened Alabama at -9.5 over Tennessee, with an over/under of right around 48. Early betting action then shaved that spread to 8.5.
Tennessee-Alabama Betting Preview
The Volunteers are 2-1 in SEC play after topping Texas A&M last Saturday 20-13. Tennessee spotted the Aggies the first seven points of the game and trailed 10-7 at the half. The Vols then took the lead for good on a punt return for a score midway through the third quarter and held on from there for the win and the cover at -3.
Tennessee out-rushed A&M 232-54.
The Volunteers opened their SEC season four games ago with a 29-16 “upset” loss at Florida. They then stepped out of conference and beat UTSA 45-14, then stepped back into conference and beat South Carolina 41-20.
Tennessee only returned 12 starters this season from the team that played 6-2 in the SEC last season. And with one conference loss already, Saturday’s game might be do-or-die for the Vols as far as making the conference championship game goes.
Meanwhile, the Crimson Tide are 4-0 in the SEC after holding off Arkansas last week 24-21. Alabama, favored by 19 points, trailed 6-0 early but led 21-6 at the half. The Tide later allowed the Hogs to get within a field goal early in the fourth quarter, held on for the win but whiffed ATS.
Alabama out-gained Arkansas 415-250.
The Tide opened their SEC campaign four games ago with a 24-10 win over Ole Miss, then beat Mississippi State 40-17, then held off Texas A&M 26-20. So Alabama is winning, just not in the fashion we college football bettors are used to.
The Tide only returned ten starters this season from a team that played 6-2 in the SEC last season. And while they’re not rolling like usual, they do own the inside track now in the SEC West, with LSU already with one conference loss.
At 6-1 overall, ‘Bama’s also playing to stay in the running for a berth in this season’s College Football Playoff.
Tennessee-Alabama Recent History
The Tide beat the Volunteers 15 times in a row through 2021, but last year, Tennessee snapped that skid with a crazy 52-49 victory in Knoxville on a field goal at the buzzer.
Totals Report
The Under is 3-2-1 in Volunteers games this season, which are averaging 51 points.
The Over is 4-2-1 in Tide games, which are averaging 46 points.
The Over is 8-3 over the last 11 meetings between these teams.
