Early Prediction and Pick for the Alabama vs Tennessee Betting Line

• Alabama is a 2.5-point favorite over Tennessee in Week 8 college football action on Saturday, October 19
• The Volunteers have scored 25 points or fewer in all three conference games
• Check out the Alabama vs Tennessee betting line, early prediction and pick, below

Both #7 Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) and #11 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) were victims to the flurry of upsets in Week 6. It almost happened to each of them again in Week 7. The Crimson Tide and Volunteers both narrowly escaped inferior competition to avoid a second loss, and will now face off in Tennessee on Saturday. Oddsmakers are siding with Alabama in the latest Week 8 college football odds, and have already adjusted their spread based on early betting action.

Alabama vs Tennessee Odds

The Crimson Tide opened up as 1.5-point favorites, with a game total of 55.5. Those numbers didn’t last long, as Alabama is now up to -2.5, while the over/under moved to 56.

Odds as of October 13 (11pm ET) at Caesars Sportsbooks. Be sure to check out the best Caesars Sportsbook promos before placing a bet on any Week 8 College Football matchup.

Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30pm ET at Neyland Stadium, in Knoxville, Tennessee, with ABC and ESPN+ providing the broadcast coverage.

Alabama and Tennessee Underwhelm Recently

After a shocking loss to Vanderbilt, the Tide barely survived a matchup with South Carolina. Alabama was a 19.5-point favorite, but had to stop a 2-point conversion in the final minute to avoid overtime. Despite back-to-back underwhelming performances, the Crimson Tide remain a top-five National Championship odds contender. Each of their next three games are versus ranked competition, and there’s reasons for concern on both sides of the ball.

On offense, it’s the turnovers. They’ve given the ball away four times over the last two weeks, with Jalen Milroe throwing three picks. Also concerning, is the fact that Milroe has taken six sacks during that span. He’s made up for it with his legs, rushing for three scores, but during long stretches of Saturday’s win the offense was stuck in neutral.

Alabama vs. Tennessee 2 weeks ago seemed like a game to decide who goes to the SEC Championship Game…

Now, both teams limp into that game

— College Football Report (@CFBRep) October 13, 2024

Defensively, Alabama is struggling to get stops. They look nothing like the unit that held Georgia to 7 points in the first half of their victory over the Bulldogs. The Crimson Tide has surrendered 92 points in their last 10 quarters, including 40 in a shocking loss to unranked Vanderbilt.

Tennessee meanwhile, is struggling to live up to offensive expectations. The Volunteers looked like world beaters during their non-conference schedule, but have been pedestrian in conference play. They’ve scored 25 points or less in each of their three SEC games, and didn’t hit the 20-point mark in regulation in either of their last two outings.

QB Nico Iamaleava, an early season Heisman Trophy odds candidate, has come crashing back down to earth. After nearly 700 yards and 6 TD in his first three starts, he’s thrown only one touchdown pass since, while absorbing 10 sacks. The Volunteers offense ranks 53rd in overall efficiency, and 47th in explosiveness.

Alabama vs Tennessee Early Prediction

That last metric is key, because as inconsistent as Alabama has been, they can flip the script with one play. The Crimson Tide have more 50+ yard plays this season, than Tennessee has 20+ yard plays. Alabama hit an explosive pass to put Georgia away a few weeks ago, and possess more speed and game-breaking talent than the Vols.

If the Crimson Tide can clean up the turnovers, they should find enough success on offense to cover this spread. Their recent defensive woes are concerning, but they’re catching Tennessee in the midst of an offensive funk. This is a bounce back spot for the Alabama D, and we should expect them to be living in Iamaleava’s face all game long.

Alabama vs Tennessee – Last 5 Matchups

The Crimson Tide grade out higher than the Vols on an adjusted opponent basis, and would be a significantly larger favorite on a neutral field. Yes, winning in Tennessee is no easy feat, but one that Alabama has accomplished in seven of its last eight visits.

• Pick: Alabama -2.5 (-110)

The highly anticipated matchup between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers is set to take place this weekend, and fans and bettors alike are eagerly awaiting the outcome. With both teams coming off strong performances in their previous games, it’s shaping up to be a close and exciting contest.

When looking at the betting line for this game, it’s important to consider a few key factors that could impact the outcome. Firstly, Alabama has been dominant all season, boasting a perfect record and a high-powered offense led by star quarterback Bryce Young. On the other hand, Tennessee has shown improvement under head coach Josh Heupel and has the potential to pull off an upset.

In terms of early predictions, it’s likely that Alabama will be favored in this matchup due to their strong track record and overall talent. However, Tennessee shouldn’t be counted out completely, as they have shown flashes of brilliance throughout the season and could give the Crimson Tide a run for their money.

When placing bets on this game, it’s important to consider factors such as injuries, weather conditions, and recent performance trends. Additionally, keeping an eye on the betting line movement leading up to kickoff can provide valuable insights into where the smart money is going.

Overall, while Alabama may be the safer bet in this matchup, Tennessee has the potential to surprise and make things interesting. It’s sure to be a thrilling game that will keep fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle blows.