Alabama vs. Tennessee Prediction, CFB Week 7 Odds & Best Bets (10/17)

Fact checked at 6:50 AM ET, Oct 17, 2026

Odds as of Oct 17, 5:54 AM ET

No. 6 Alabama and No. 14 Tennessee are both 5-1, and they got there in opposite ways. Alabama scored 45 or more in each of its first five games before a 20-17 home loss to Georgia last week. Tennessee wins with defense. It has allowed 24, 9, 20, 14 and 17 points in its last five games, and it has won two straight since freshman quarterback Faizon Brandon hurt his shoulder.

That injury is why this line looks the way it does. George MacIntyre is expected to make his second straight start, and across the Auburn and Arkansas games he has 333 passing yards, one touchdown, two interceptions and a lost fumble. Alabama opened -1.5 on Oct 4 and is now -7.5 (-111), while the total fell from 56.5 to 50.5. We agree with the move. Tennessee's defense should keep this from becoming a shootout, but its offense can't keep pace with Alabama's, and the Tide win by more than a touchdown.

ABC has the 3:30 PM ET kickoff from Neyland Stadium. The National Weather Service calls for sun, temperatures in the high 50s and a north wind around 15 mph.

Alabama vs. Tennessee Predictions

• Pick #1: Alabama -7.5 (-111)
• Pick #2: EJ Crowell Anytime Touchdown (+200)

PICK #1: Alabama -7.5 (-111)

Alabama has the much better quarterback, and in a game where points should be scarce, that's the edge we're paying for.

Keelon Russell has thrown for 188, 320, 365, 285 and 185 yards over Alabama's last five games, with 12 touchdowns and two interceptions. Alabama won five of its six games by more than 7.5: 48-10 over East Carolina, 45-17 at Kentucky, 50-36 over Florida State, 49-18 over South Carolina and 56-23 at Mississippi State. Even in the Georgia loss it ran for 161 yards, and Russell didn't throw an interception.

Tennessee's passing game is the other half of it. The Vols haven't thrown for more than 247 yards in any of their last five games, and in the home loss to Texas they went 18-for-32 for 151. MacIntyre turned it over three times at Arkansas, where Tennessee won by only seven as a 13.5-point favorite. Now he sees a defense with nine interceptions, four of them returned for touchdowns, that has allowed 20.7 points per game.

At -111, Alabama has to cover 52.6% of the time to break even. Two things argue against it: Alabama scored only 17 against Georgia, and it is missing offensive lineman Racin Delgatty and five defensive players. One late Tennessee field goal could cost the cover. The quarterback edge outweighs both.

PICK #2: EJ Crowell Anytime Touchdown (+200)

A win by eight or more takes touchdowns, and Crowell keeps finishing them. He has scored in four of Alabama's six games, every time from 4 yards or closer: 3 yards against East Carolina, 3 at Kentucky, 4 against Florida State and 1 in the loss to Georgia, on a five-carry day.

That's why +200 looks long. The price puts his chances at 33.3%, and he has scored in two of every three games. The catch is volume. He gets only 3 to 7 carries a game, Trae'shawn Brown and Daniel Hill take more of the work between the 20s, and he was shut out against South Carolina and Mississippi State. A back who scores on short runs suits a game where Alabama has to earn its points against a good defense.

21+ (18+ where permitted). Odds subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.