No. 7 Alabama, with a record of 5-1 and 2-1 in the Southeastern Conference, faces off against No. 8 Tennessee, which also has a record of 5-1 and 2-1. The game will take place on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on ABC. Alabama is favored to win by three points, according to BetMGM College Football Odds. Historically, Alabama leads the series with a record of 60 wins, 39 losses, and 7 ties against Tennessee.

This matchup carries significant implications for the College Football Playoff aspirations of both teams. Both Alabama and Tennessee have suffered one loss this season, placing them in a four-way tie for fifth in the highly competitive SEC. The Crimson Tide were defeated in their last visit to Neyland Stadium in 2022. Meanwhile, Tennessee’s previous victory over Florida, which required overtime, led to a drop in their Top 25 ranking, and they have a bye week ahead.

A key point of focus in this game is the performance of Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava. He faced challenges in the last game against Florida, being sacked three times, largely due to difficulties from his offensive tackles, Lance Heard and John Campbell Jr., who struggled with penalties and protection. Alabama, on the other hand, recorded four sacks in their win against South Carolina, highlighting the importance of solid offensive line play for Tennessee as they aim to revitalize their offense.

In terms of standout players, Alabama’s quarterback Jalen Milroe has recently encountered struggles, throwing three interceptions over the past two games. He had initially gained a reputation as a leading contender for the Heisman Trophy following a victory over Georgia but faced difficulties against Vanderbilt and South Carolina’s defensive efforts. His dual-threat capabilities make him a formidable opponent when in top form, both in the passing and running game.

Tennessee’s running back Dylan Sampson is another player to keep an eye on. When the Vols’ offense is functioning effectively, Sampson becomes essential in gaining crucial yards up the middle. He has exceeded 100 rushing yards in six of his last seven games and already amassed an impressive total of 15 rushing touchdowns so far this season, marking the highest number by an SEC player in the first six games of a season since 1992.

This iconic rivalry, known as the Third Saturday in October since 1939, will see both teams ranked in the top 20 for just the 22nd time. Tennessee is aiming for consecutive home victories over Alabama for the first time since 2006. This match will also feature Tennessee without its star linebacker Keenan Pili, who suffered an ACL injury last week. Interestingly, in their last two games, Tennessee found themselves trailing at halftime after a score of 3-0. Additionally, Alabama’s coach Kalen DeBoer boasts an impressive 13-2 record in games against AP Top 25 ranked teams. Notably, Alabama’s wide receiver Ryan Williams has recorded just seven catches for 114 yards in the last two outings, despite being targeted 13 times. Tennessee’s defense is ranked among the top 10 in 12 key national categories, further adding to the intensity of this matchup.