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Jah-Marien Latham of the Alabama Crimson Tide as we make our best Tennessee-Alabama prediction.
Jah-Marien Latham #93 of the Alabama Crimson Tide sacks KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks during the second quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 14, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Alex Slitz/Getty Images/AFP

The Tennessee Volunteers visit the Alabama Crimson Tide in one of the four matchups between ranked opponents, and our top Tennessee vs. Alabama prediction will prepare you for the SEC clash. Each of our college football picks are based on the NCAAF odds from our best sports betting apps.

Not only have the Tennessee Volunteers won three consecutive games, they’ve also covered the spread in all three. Still, even with the winning streak, the Vols are an underdog for the first time all season ahead of their trip to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face the Alabama Crimson Tide.

Following a Week 2 defeat to the Texas Longhorns, the Crimson Tide rebounded with five straight victories, although they combined to win their past two by a mere nine points. Alabama's defense has limited opponents to an average of 292.4 yards per game, while the offense has only tallied over 30 points twice.

As part of our college football predictions for Week 8, here is our best Tennessee vs. Alabama prediction and our college football picks (odds via our best college football betting sites; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Tennessee vs. Alabama prediction: Week 8

Under 49 (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐

The Crimson Tide’s defense has been thriving in 2023. But their offense has been wildly inconsistent. Last week, the offense scored 24 points in the first 38 minutes of play, but they were unable to get on the board again after that.

While the defense struggled in the second half last week, they have been consistent this year. They’ve held all but one of their opponents to 21 or fewer points, and they’re allowing just 105.3 rushing yards per game.

The Volunteers have a very high-powered offense. They’ve gone Over 40 in three of their games this season, winning each of those contests by at least 21 points. They have a balanced attack, rushing for 231.3 yards per game and passing for 212.5.

In a battle of strength vs. strength, we’re giving the edge to the Crimson Tide defense. The Volunteers have played just one true road game this season, and they only scored 16 points in that tilt.

Some may look at how many points the Crimson Tide gave up against the Texas Longhorns and think they’re due to have another poor performance. But many forget that heading into the fourth quarter, the Longhorns had scored just 13 points.

On the other side, the Volunteers’ defense hasn’t faced many challenges this season. This week will be no different.

Jalen Milroe and the Crimson Tide offense have proven each week that this really is who they are. They score in the mid-20s but no higher regardless of who they play. Plus, the Volunteers have only allowed one team to score more than 20 this season. That’s good no matter who your opponent is.

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Tennessee vs. Alabama best odds

DraftKings (-110)

DraftKings FanDuel BetMGM Caesars bet365
Under 49 Under 48.5 Under 48.5 Under 48.5 Under 48.5
-110 -105 -115 -110 -110

DraftKings has made it easy for us by moving this total up a half-point to 49. All the other best sports betting sites currently have the total listed at 48.5. It’s worth giving FanDuel a look since they’re offering under 48.5 for -105, but we recommend taking the extra half-point and protecting yourself with the opportunity to push.

BetMGM actually looks like they’re going to drop this number down to 48 rather than moving it up to 49. With that type of movement in play, we recommend getting in sooner rather than later.

Tennessee vs. Alabama odds

Tennessee vs. Alabama odds analysis

The Crimson Tide opened as 9.5-point favorites. Caesars still has the spread listed at that number, but every other best sportsbook has dropped the spread to either 8.5 or 9. Sixty-seven percent of wagers back the Volunteers, so we doubt this spread will stop shrinking, but we also don’t think that the key number of 7 is in play.

As for the total, the number opened at 48.5, and that is where it has stayed at every major sportsbook except DraftKings, despite 62% of bettors backing the Over.

This seems like a low number, especially considering the Volunteers have scored more than 40 in two of their last three games. But oddsmakers seem reluctant to move the number. When they ignore the public like that, they’re generally confident in what they see on the other side.

Tennessee vs. Alabama game info

  • When: Saturday, October, 21 at 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, AL
  • How to watch: CBS
  • Weather: 80 degrees, 7-mph winds, 0% PoP

Tennessee-Alabama prediction made 10/18/2023 at 2:44 p.m. ET.

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