From 2007 through 2021, Alabama dominated Tennessee in the annual Third Saturday in October rivalry. The Crimson Tide won 15 straight games in the series, most of which were outright blowouts. The average score during the streak was Alabama 39, Tennessee 13.
That included seven wins in Knoxville, which has traditionally been one of the toughest places to play in college football.
But Alabama's dominance in this rivalry has subsided in recent years, and it's been a back-and-forth affair over the last four years. Tennessee broke through in 2022 to end the 15-year streak, not in the least of which was because of one of the worst pass interference penalties you are liable to see in your entire life. A flag thrown after Kool-Aid McKinstry had run 50 yards down the field took away what should have sealed the Tide's 16th straight win in the series.
Instead, the Vols won, and the series has been split in the last four meetings, with Tennessee winning in Knoxville in 2022 and 2024 and Alabama winning in Tuscaloosa in 2023 and 2025.
Kalen DeBoer will be looking to put an end to that two-game losing streak in Neyland Stadium in October, and oddsmakers have some early confidence in his ability to do it.
According to DraftKings Sportsbook, Alabama is an early 1.5-point favorite for the road matchup six months from now.
Alabama is a small betting favorite early on against Tennessee for the 2026 Third Saturday in October
You can take early spreads with a grain of salt, but this far out, it's an indication of the relative strength of the two programs, at least in the eyes of oddsmakers.
Both Alabama and Tennessee have some serious questions to answer and most so-called experts are taking a wait-and-see approach with both teams.
Both will break in a new QB this season, with both having QB competitions that are expected to last throughout fall camp. Keelon Russell is the current favorite in the Tide's battle, though Austin Mack won't go away quietly. For Tennessee, there's increasing belief that Josh Heupel is going to immediately hand the keys to 5-star freshman Faizon Brandon.
A lot is subject to change between now and the Third Saturday in October. This spread will likely swing significantly between now and then, depending on how the two rivals perform through the season's first month and a half.
Alabama will head to Knoxville the week after its highly anticipated matchup against Georgia in Tuscaloosa on October 10th. It will be smack in the middle of a gauntlet that includes Georgia, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and LSU all in a row.
Tennessee will have faced Texas, Auburn, and Arkansas in the three weeks leading up to its home game against Alabama. Both will have been battle-tested by the time this rivalry matchup rolls around.
For Alabama fans of a certain age, this matchup against Tennessee is on equal footing, if not a step above, the Iron Bowl. There's little sweeter than being able to light up a victory cigar on the Vols' home field, something Alabama will be looking to do for the first time since 2020.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.Â
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