Tennessee opens as double-digit point underdog for Saturday's game at Alabama
Tennessee opened as an underdog for the first time this season on Sunday, with Circa Sports listing the Vols as a 10.0-point underdog for Saturday afternoon’s game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa.
Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) and Alabama (6-1, 4-0) are scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. Eastern Time start on CBS as the SEC Game of the Week.
The Vols on Saturday beat Texas A&M 20-13 at Neyland Stadium while Alabama held off Arkansas 24-21 at home. The Crimson Tide have won five straight since losing 34-24 at home against Texas on September 9.
In the last seven trips to Tuscaloosa, Tennessee on average has been a 26-point underdog, with the largest spread being 37 points in 2017 and the smallest spreads being 14.0 in 2009 and 14.5 in 2015.
The Vols haven’t been favored in a game at Alabama since 2007.
Tennessee is 4-5 against the spread at Alabama since 2003 with one push in the 6-3 loss in 2005. The Vols covered in 2019 (+34.5), 2015 (+14.5), 2009 (+14.0) and 2003 (-2.5). The Vols failed to cover in 2021 (+25.0), 2017 (+37.0), 2013 (+27.5), 2011 (+30.0) and 2007 (-1.5).
Tennessee at Alabama: How To Watch
Kickoff Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium (101,821)
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount+
Radio: WIVK-FM 107.7 and WNML-FM 99.1 in Knoxville. The Vol Network radio broadcast (Bob Kesling – play-by-play – Pat Ryan, analyst – Brent Hubbs, analyst – Jayson Swain sideline) can be heard on local affiliates across the state of Tennessee.
Against The Spread
Tennessee was a 3.0-point favorite against Texas A&M, covering in the 20-13 win at Neyland Stadium.
Before Sunday, the Vols had not been an underdog yet this season. Tennessee is 4-2 against the spread through six games, with other covers against South Carolina (-11.5), UTSA (-23.5) and Virginia (-27.5).
The Vols failed to cover against Austin Peay (-48.5) and at Florida (-5.5).
Alabama was a 19.5-point favorite against Arkansas on Saturday. The Crimson Tide are 4-3 against the spread this season, covering against Middle Tennessee (-39), Ole Miss (-7.0), at Mississippi State (-17.0) and at Texas A&M (-2.5). They failed to cover in the loss to Texas (-7.5) and in the win at South Florida (-34.0).
