Alabama Crimson Tide vs Tennessee Volunteers Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Alabama Crimson Tide vs Tennessee Volunteers

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, TN

TV: ABC

Odds/Point Spread: Volunteers (+7.5)

Total/Over-Under: 52.5

The Tennessee Volunteers (5-1) will compete against the Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1) at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Alabama is 7.5-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The over/under is 52.5.

The Alabama Crimson Tide step onto the field holding a record of 5-1 for this season. In their last contest, the Crimson Tide played against the Mississippi State Bulldogs and went home with a win by a final score of 56-23. When it came to stopping the run, the Crimson Tide gave up 18 yards on 30 tries, which averages out to 0.6 yards per run surrendered. Alabama surrendered 22 completions on 40 tries for a total of 284 yards, and a completion percentage of 55.0%. In the game, they had 61 plays which converted into 483 yds. The Alabama Crimson Tide rushed the ball a total of 37 different times and compiled 179 yards, which is an average of 4.8 yards per tote.

The Crimson Tide have tallied 2,715 total yards for the year. With reference to getting in the endzone, Alabama has compiled 12 touchdowns via the pass and 18 touchdowns on the ground. They have turned the football over 7 times. Alabama has accumulated 134 1st downs offensively, and they have committed 40 penalties for 279 yds. As a team they hold an average of 182.2 yards via the ground game which is 46th in D-1. When talking about scoring points, the Alabama Crimson Tide hold an average of 44.2 points per outing.

In terms of passing yards, the Crimson Tide have conceded 1,419 yds which ranks them 110th in college football. They have relinquished 236.5 yards per outing through the air and conceding a completion percentage of 60.6%. During the season, they are allowing 336.3 yards per outing which has them ranked 54th in college football. They have granted 9 touchdowns via the pass and 5 touchdowns pounding the rock. Opposing teams are running for an average of 3.0 yards per rush and 99.8 rushing yards per game so far this year. For the year, they have allowed 599 rushing yards through 6 games. The Crimson Tide are ranked 46th in the country when it comes to team defense, conceding 20.7 PPG.

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The Volunteers come into this matchup with a record of 5-1 for this year. In their last game, the Volunteers went home victorious with a score of 24-17 when they faced the Arkansas Razorbacks. Tennessee rushed for 4.8 yards per tote, finishing the game with 167 yds on 35 carries. The Volunteers finished the game with a total of 414 yds while running 64 plays (6.5 yds per play). The Volunteers passing defense gave up a completion rate of 55.6%, surrendering 155 yds on 15 for 27 through the air. Tennessee gave up 34 attempts on the ground for 133 yards (3.9 yards per rush).

In terms of their scoring prowess, the Volunteers are 45th in college football holding an average of 34.7 PPG. The Tennessee Volunteers are averaging 414.8 yards per outing, which has them ranked 54th in the nation. The Tennessee offense has 342 penalty yds on 41 violations, ranking them 40th in Division 1 in terms of helping out the other team. They have tossed 3 picks while letting opponents recover 5 fumbles and they have been able to tally 138 first downs. For the year to this point, the Volunteers have earned 1,119 yards via the pass as well as an average of 186.5 passing yards per game, giving them a rank of 110th in the nation. They have an average of 228.3 rushing yards per game and have toted the ball for 1,370 yards for this year.

Tennessee has surrendered a total of 794 yards via the ground game (132.3 yards per game) in addition to 6 touchdowns on the ground this year. They have surrendered 3 touchdowns through the air in addition to 161.3 yards per outing, ranking them 17th in the nation. Overall, they have relinquished 93 points in total. They have tallied 4 fumbles recovered and 5 interceptions on the season. The Volunteers defense has taken part in 374 plays, which is 80th in the country. The Volunteers are conceding 15.5 points per game, which has them 19th in college football.

Who will win tonight's Crimson Tide/Volunteers college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Crimson Tide -7.5

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