Alabama vs. Tennessee Odds, Best Bets: Tide Laying 3 Points at Neyland

These teams split their last two meetings. The Vols won a memorable shootout at Neyland back in 2022, when Tennessee's Hendon Hooker outdueled Bryce Young in a 52-49 win. Bama avenged that loss with a 34-20 W at home last fall.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Betting Preview

Alabama Crimson Tide Betting News, Analysis

Alabama emerged from a rare regular-season battle with Georgia on September 28 as the team to beat in college football. That one came down to the wire thanks to a furious late rally by Georgia, but for 30 minutes, Crimson Tide QB Jalen Milroe and Co. appeared to be in a class of their own.

Bama built a 30-9 halftime lead in that contest thanks to three first-half TDs from Milroe (two rushing, one passing), but Georgia roared back with a 19-point fourth quarter to briefly take a 34-33 lead with 2:31 remaining.

The Tide needed just one play on the ensuing possession to score the game-winner, as freshman WR Ryan Williams went 75 yards on an incredible catch-and-run.

Coach Kalen DeBoer's team, which briefly moved to No. 1 in the nation ahead of its trip to Vanderbilt the following week, has looked vulnerable since the big Georgia win, though.

In the stunning loss to Vanderbilt, the Commodores moved the ball at will on the Tide. Vandy piled up 26 first downs, 418 yards of offense and 42-plus minutes in time of possession in an upset victory that could hardly be called a fluke.

The Bama D also struggled to get off the field against the Gamecocks at home last Saturday as 19.5-point favorites. Alabama surrendered 374 yards and 23 first downs in that game, and if not for four USC turnovers, Bama would likely be entering this matchup on a two-game losing streak.

Tennessee Volunteers Betting News, Analysis

No offense looked better than Tennessee's through the first three weeks of the season, as the Vols hung 69 points on Chattanooga, 51 on NC State and 71 on Kent State.

But while the Tennessee defense and running game have remained stout in SEC play the last three weeks, QB Nico Iamaleava and the passing game have struggled.

The Vols defense dominated in a 25-15 win over Oklahoma in Norman on September 21. That strong showing by the D made Iamaleava's pedestrian night (13-of-21 passing for 194 yards and 1 TD) against a good OU defense go largely unnoticed.

But the last two weeks, here's what the Vols have gotten from their young QB, who looked like a legit Heisman contender entering conference play:

• vs. Arkansas: 17-of-29 for 158 yards (5.4 yards per attempt), 0 TDs, 0 interceptions
• vs. Florida: 16-of-26 for 169 yards (6.5 ypa), 0 TDs, 1 interception

Can Nico Iamaleava Bounce Back Against Alabama?

One quiet game against Oklahoma, especially with Tennessee running the ball as well it has all year, would have hardly raised red flags.

But this passing attack has now been underwhelming for three straight weeks, and on paper, Oklahoma was the only excellent defensive team the Vols have faced during the recent stretch. The Sooners have the nation's No. 12 defense, according to ESPN's SP+, but the Arkansas and Florida defenses are just No. 32 and No. 46, respectively (also per SP+). Tennessee still has to face three teams (Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia) with top-20 defenses according to SP+, making the current state of its passing game a legit concern beyond this Saturday's matchup.

The good news for Josh Heupel's team is that its rushing attack has been outstanding. RBs Dylan Sampson and DeSean Bishop have combined for 1,029 yards and 18 TDs on 166 carries (6.2 yards per carry), and the former is putting up All-American-worthy numbers.

Defensively, Tennessee has been elite through six games, with a dominant defensive line leading a unit that is allowing just 10.7 points per game (fourth-fewest in the nation). The Volunteers did suffer a blow last week when LB Keenan Pili, a team captain and the leading tackler, was sidelined for the rest of the year with a torn ACL.

Per SP+, the Vols are No. 7 in defense, and despite the offense's recent struggles, it's still ranked No. 21 on the year.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Prediction, Best Bets

Tennessee's homefield advantage makes it hard to pick against the Vols, but Iamaleava's recent struggles are concerning, especially against a good Bama run D.

While the Tide have allowed their last few opponents to move the ball, they've not exactly been getting gashed on the ground. Georgia gained just 80 yards on 26 attempts vs. this defense. While Vandy ran for 166 yards against Bama, it needed 54 attempts to get there, and the Tide held South Carolina to 132 yards on 39 carries.

Milroe has been up and down the last three weeks, with four interceptions in this stretch, but he's one of the most dangerous big-play threats in the country.

He should be able to put up some points against this Tennessee defense. The Vols have played well to date, but they'll miss Pili in this game, and they have not seen a quarterback like Milroe this year.

Tennessee allowed Arkansas QB Taylen Green to throw for 266 yards on just 27 attempts before an injury knocked him out of that game early in the fourth quarter. And while it kept Florida out of the end zone last week, the Gators reached the red zone six times, but went 3-for-6 and came away with just 17 points.

Who wins the battle in the red zone?

Tennessee's red zone defense has been a strength all year. How it holds up against Milroe and the Tide could decide this game. On the year, the Vols have allowed just six touchdowns on opponents' 19 trips to the red zone.

For Bama, Milroe's ability to beat defenses as a runner -- he already has 11 rushing TDs this season -- is a big reason his team has scored 19 TDs on 24 trips to the red zone.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Best Bets

We're reluctant to doubt Tennessee at home, but in what should be a close game, we'll go with Milroe and star Bama WR Ryan Williams to make the difference for the Crimson Tide.

However, if we had to make one bet on this game, we would feel more comfortable with the under given that the average total in Tennessee's three SEC games this year has been less than 40 points.

• Alabama -3 (-110 at bet365)
• Under 57.5 (-110 at bet365)

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