This year’s Third Saturday in October rivalry carries significant weight, resembling a College Football Playoff eliminator. No. 7 Alabama (5-1) and No. 11 Tennessee (5-1) both come into the matchup following tense victories that were preceded by unexpected defeats.
Tennessee edged out Florida in overtime with a 23-17 score, just a week after losing to Arkansas on the road. On the other hand, Alabama narrowly defeated South Carolina 27-25, bouncing back from a surprising loss to Vanderbilt. Supporters of both teams are anxious due to the inconsistent performances observed recently.
Each team holds the potential to contend for the SEC and national championships, but a loss on Saturday would complicate their paths significantly. Alabama still faces No. 19 Missouri and No. 8 LSU later in the season, while Tennessee has a challenging away game against No. 5 Georgia on November 16. A defeat on Saturday would require both teams to strive for perfection in the remaining games, whereas a victory would bolster their chances as the selection day approaches.
How to watch Alabama vs. Tennessee live:
Date: Saturday, Oct. 19 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
TV: ABC | Live stream: fubo (Try for free)
Key points for Alabama vs. Tennessee:
Quarterback performance must improve: Jalen Milroe surged in Heisman Trophy betting after Alabama’s win over Georgia but has struggled in recent outings. Currently sitting at +1200 in DraftKings betting odds, he needs to avoid making poor decisions, as evidenced by two interceptions and a safety in the last game against South Carolina. Conversely, Tennessee’s starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava may be overly cautious, possibly missing chances for big plays. He has not exceeded 200 passing yards since Game 2 and has recorded only one touchdown in three SEC games, meaning the Volunteers need more from their highly regarded quarterback despite their strong running game.
Tennessee’s defense is impressive: While the Volunteers under head coach Josh Heupel have been known for their offensive fireworks, their defense has shone this season. Coordinated by Tim Banks, Tennessee boasts one of the best defenses in the nation, ranking second overall in total defense (249.8 yards allowed per game), as well as in yards per play (4), rushing yards per attempt (2.2), and third-down conversion rate (23.8 percent). They will face their biggest challenge against Milroe and the Alabama offense, but their defensive line should present problems for a below-average Alabama offensive line.
Expect an exciting game: Last season, Tennessee started strong with a 20-7 halftime lead in Tuscaloosa, but Alabama rallied to win 34-20. The previous year, Tennessee also jumped out to a fast start, only for Alabama to stage a comeback in a thrilling 52-49 finish. The atmosphere in Neyland Stadium is expected to be electric, and whichever team gains an early advantage should prepare for a competitive contest given both teams’ experiences in high-stakes situations.
Predictions and picks for Alabama vs. Tennessee:
Despite inconsistencies shown earlier this season, including notable wins for Alabama against Georgia and Tennessee against Oklahoma juxtaposed with surprising losses, Alabama has demonstrated explosive capabilities in fast-paced games. However, their defense has been tested, and Tennessee might exploit that, particularly with their run game. Questions remain regarding whether Nico Iamaleava can effectively make game-changing plays. To date, he has struggled in this regard, yet has mostly not been penalized for it beyond the Arkansas game. Given the anticipated charged atmosphere, a close result is expected, and betting on Tennessee to cover seems wise. Prediction: Tennessee +3.