Tennessee vs. Alabama Picks, Predictions, and Odds: Will Jalen Milroe Have His Heisman Moment?

• Tennessee upset Alabama at home in 2022

• Both teams recently lost to unranked SEC opponents

• Quarterbacks for both teams had down games in recent weeks

The No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers will host the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide in a matchup that could determine not just the fate of the SEC Championship, but which team reaches the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff.

It was only two years ago that Hendon Hooker inspired a Tennessee upset over the Crimson Tide in an explosive showdown that ended with fans tearing down Tennessee’s goalposts and throwing them into a nearby river. 

The Vols started the year hot but were not at their best the last two weeks. The same can be said about Alabama, who lost to Vanderbilt and squeaked past South Carolina during that same time frame.

Here, we will analyze the impending matchup and share our best Tennessee vs. Alabama betting picks.

Tennessee vs. Alabama Odds 

Odds from FanDuel Sportsbook. Place your bets on this matchup and claim the bonus at FanDuel: Bet $5, Get $300 in Bonus Bets.

Tennessee vs. Alabama Predictions 

Tennessee not only has an exceptional team, but it has a balanced team.

The Vols held their opponents to the second-fewest yards per play (3.9) and the fifth-fewest points per game (12.2). They also averaged the fourth-most rushing yards per game (235) for a top-20 scoring team in the country.

That said, there is a concern at the quarterback position. 6-foot-6 freshman Nico Iamaleava was brilliant to start the year but only averaged 173.7 yards and a 60.5 percent completion rate en route to one touchdown and one interception over his last three games, all of which were against conference opponents.

Prior to that, Iamaleava had averaged 232.7 yards and racked up six touchdowns and two interceptions.

On the other side, quarterback Jalen Milroe has been the do-it-all man for the Tide. He accumulated more than 300 total yards per game, 23 total touchdowns, and four interceptions. He was excellent in a successful homestand against Georgia (41-34) but threw all four of his picks in the last three weeks. His QBR also averaged out to 73.3 over the last two weeks compared to 81.8 during the first four.

The Tide don’t have an elite running game, but Milroe’s versatility and their backfield depth give them three legitimate bodies to throw at defenses. 

Ironically compared to their recent history under Nick Saban, Bama’s defense is the source of worry here. Their young corners haven’t done a great job when put under sustained pressure, which is one of the main reasons they aren’t seen as one of the top favorites in national championship odds.

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Tennessee vs. Alabama My Pick

• My Pick: Alabama Points Spread at -2.5 via FanDuel

Iamaleava is going to have to step up and make big-time throws for Tennessee to win this game. They have a great chance to win if he’s able to hold up his end of the deal, but the regression shown over his past three games leads us to believe that he won’t.

Tennessee gives up the second-fewest yards per rush attempt but is 36th in yards allowed per pass. Bama coach Kalen DeBoer wants Milroe to push the ball down the field, and Tennessee also has not faced a quarterback anywhere near his caliber just yet.

It’s hard to forget that Bama just lost to an unranked Vanderbilt team, but they also manhandled Georgia the week before. Tennessee is trending down and is getting its toughest test of the year at the worst time for its QB. 

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How to Watch Tennessee vs. Alabama

• When: Saturday, October 19 at 3:30 p.m. ET

• Where: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN

• Watch: ABC/ESPN+

Tennessee vs. Alabama Best Promos and Sportsbooks

All of the best college football betting sites have the line set at 2.5 or three points in Alabama’s favor.

Bama bettors will find the best deal at FanDuel, where they are -2.5 (-124). Tennessee bettors should look to Caesars Sportsbook, where they are +3 (-110).

Anyone who bets on Tennessee vs. Alabama at FanDuel Sportsbook can win $300 in bonus bets with a winning $5 wager.

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Tennessee vs. Alabama Injuries

Alabama Injuries

• Qua Russaw (LB) - Questionable (leg)

• Cole Adams (WR) - Questionable (arm)

• Jalen Hale (WR) - Out (knee)

Tennessee Injuries

• Kalib Perry (LB) - Questionable 

• Cameron Seldon (RB) - Questionable 

• Mike Matthews (WR) - Questionable

• Braylon Staley (WR) - Questionable 

• Emmanuel Okoye (DL) - Out

• Jourdan Thomas (DB) - Out (knee)