Saturday’s college football lineup includes a primetime showdown between the Tennessee Volunteers and Alabama Crimson Tide. Each time is 5-1. Tennessee is ranked No. 11 and Alabama is No. 6 in both the AP and Coaches polls.
Here are my Tennessee vs. Alabama predictions.
Tennessee vs. Alabama odds
– Money line: Tennessee +245 / Alabama -305
– Point spread: Tennessee +8.5 (-115) / Alabama -8.5 (-105)
– Over/Under: Over 59.5 (-105) / Under 59.5 (-115)
Tennessee vs. Alabama best bet #1: Under 59.5 (-115)
The Crimson Tide are the superior team in this matchup and they playing at home, so they should be able to dictate the pace at which this game is played. That means it will likely be slower and more methodical than the Volunteers would like, as the Tide prefer to run the ball and work the clock. As such, there simply might not be enough possessions for both teams to take this game over the total.
Alabama running backs Jam Miller and Kevin Riley take a lot of pressure off quarterback Ty Simpson. The likely game script calls for the Crimson Tide to grab a quick lead and then milk the clock with Miller and Riley. The Tide began their 2025 with a touchdown drive against FSU that lasted almost nine minutes. It had four drives of more than five minutes in an upset win at UGA and twice held the ball for more than seven minutes against Vanderbilt. Last weekend’s victory over Missouri featured a nine-minute drive.
Tennessee may have to run the ball more than usual, as well. That’s because Alabama’s pass defense is incredible. Head coach Kalen DeBoer’s team ranks third nationally in that department, giving up only 135.7 yards per contest. It’s also worth noting that ‘Bama ranks top 20 in the country in red-zone defense.
Finally, the Volunteers committed three turnovers in their only previous true road game this season at Mississippi State.
Tennessee vs. Alabama best player prop bet: DeSean Bishop to score a touchdown (+130)
Although he shares the Tennessee backfield with Star Thomas, Bishop is generally the featured RB when it matters most. The sophomore from Knoxville has gotten 15, 11 and 14 carries in the Vols’ three SEC contests. Thomas, on the other hand, has not rushed more than 10 times in any conference game. Bishop has been especially hot in recent weeks, having scored at least one touchdown in three straight games–including two against UAB. Last week against Arkansas he had 14 carries for 146 yards and a score. Bishop should be a line for a big night. Well into plus money, he has great value to find the endzone.
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