Alabama visits Tennessee on Saturday, Oct. 17, in a top-15 SEC matchup at Neyland Stadium, with the Crimson Tide looking to rebound from their first loss of the season. CBS Sports predicts No.
6 Alabama to win and cover the 8.5-point spread against No. 14 Tennessee.
The teams are both 5-1 overall, but Alabama is 3-1 in SEC play and Tennessee is 2-1. The CBS Sports preview also weighs the teams’ quarterback situations and their different routes to keeping College Football Playoff hopes alive.
Key Takeaways
- Alabama is 5-1 overall and 3-1 in SEC play after a 20-17 loss to Georgia, while Tennessee is 5-1 and 2-1 after a 24-17 win at Arkansas.
- CBS Sports picks Alabama to win and cover an 8.5-point spread.
- The game is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville.
Alabama vs. Tennessee Prediction and Pick
Alabama’s 20-17 home defeat to Georgia ended its unbeaten start and left the Crimson Tide with less room for error in the second half of the schedule. Tennessee comes in after a 24-17 road win over Arkansas, a result that moved the Volunteers to 2-1 in conference play.
CBS Sports’ pick is Alabama minus 8.5. Its analysis points to the Crimson Tide’s offensive firepower and the possibility that Tennessee will struggle to move the ball through the air against an opponent able to focus on the run.
Tennessee’s defense and rushing attack have helped produce a 5-1 record, but the preview argues that Alabama presents a tougher test than the Volunteers have faced to this point. The pick anticipates Alabama pulling away in the fourth quarter, rather than treating the spread as an automatic result.
The stakes are significant on both sides. Alabama is trying to avoid consecutive regular-season losses for the first time since 2007, while Tennessee has an opportunity to add a consequential win to its résumé and improve its position in the SEC race.
Quarterback and Injury Questions Shape the Matchup
CBS Sports identifies Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell as the SEC’s passing-yards leader, with 1,599 yards. The preview also notes his mobility as an added element for a Tennessee defense preparing to handle the Crimson Tide offense.
Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is expected to miss the game because of an injury, CBS Sports reported. His projected absence is a notable personnel concern, although the preview maintains that Alabama has enough offensive strength to challenge Tennessee’s secondary.
Tennessee’s quarterback decision follows George MacIntyre’s first career start in the win over Arkansas. CBS Sports reported that the sophomore completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions, after stepping in for freshman Faizon Brandon.
The Volunteers’ choice at quarterback remains a central matchup question in the preview. CBS Sports says Alabama’s defensive priority will be containing DeSean Bishop, whom it identifies as the SEC’s second-leading rusher, and making Tennessee’s passing game produce.
Alabama and Tennessee Playoff Stakes and Game Details
CBS Sports’ College Football Playoff Forecaster puts Alabama’s playoff chance at 87.7% with a win and 52.9% with a loss. For Tennessee, the projections are 51.6% after a win and 16.8% after a loss; these figures are forecasts, not guaranteed outcomes.
| Team | Playoff chance with win | Playoff chance with loss |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 87.7% | 52.9% |
| Tennessee | 51.6% | 16.8% |
The forecasts show how much a win could change Tennessee’s outlook, while Alabama’s projected chance would remain above 50% even with a loss. CBS Sports notes that Alabama’s margin for error would shrink after another defeat, particularly given its position in the SEC schedule.
The teams meet Saturday, Oct. 17, at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. ABC is scheduled to televise the 3:30 p.m.
ET kickoff.
Alabama will also be trying to end its recent struggles at Neyland Stadium: CBS Sports notes that the Crimson Tide have lost their last two games there. Tennessee, meanwhile, is seeking to end a four-game home losing streak against ranked opponents, a run that makes the home setting an important part of the matchup.
