Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers Betting Odds, Football Pick

The top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) are listed as big road favorites against the Tennessee Volunteers (5-1) on Saturday as they attempt to win for the 10th consecutive time in the series. The Vols are coming off their first loss of the season, as a comeback attempt fell short for them in a 45-38 double-overtime loss to the Texas A&M Aggies as 7.5-point road underdogs.

Point spread: The Crimson Tide opened as nine-point favorites, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

College football pick, via Odds Shark computer: 43.8-25.4 Crimson Tide (college football picks on every game)

Why the Crimson Tide can cover the spread

Alabama is 7-3 against the spread in the past 10 meetings with Tennessee in addition to winning the last nine in the series. The Tide will be playing the second of consecutive conference road games after blowing out the Arkansas Razorbacks 49-30 as 14.5-point favorites last week behind quarterback Jalen Hurts, who passed for two touchdowns and ran for two more in the rout.

Minkah Fitzpatrick also had three interceptions, showing how tough the team's defense remains despite multiple defections to the NFL. Alabama has won 10 in a row straight up and gone 8-2 against the spread in its last 10 games versus teams with winning records as well, with the school going for its second straight national championship.

Why the Volunteers can cover the spread

The Vols are never out of a game and proved that again last week despite losing at Texas A&M. They trailed the Aggies 28-7 early in the third quarter before gradually working their way back into the game and tying it with 41 seconds remaining.

Tennessee still managed to cover the spread and will be going for its eighth straight home victory while trying to improve to 8-1 ATS in its last nine games against winning teams. This is the only game against a ranked opponent for the rest of the regular season for the Vols, who will be motivated to end their series skid against the Tide.

Smart pick

Whether you consider Tennessee a pretender or a contender, this team will have a huge chance to make a serious statement against Alabama. The Tide have barely been tested this year but had their most difficult game on the road against the Ole Miss Rebels, and Knoxville is arguably a tougher place to play with more than 100,000 fans expected to be in attendance.

The Vols may have been caught looking ahead a bit to this game and should be ready to put forth their best effort here to at least keep it close and cover.

Betting trends

Alabama is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games against Tennessee.

Tennessee is 7-1 ATS in its last eight games against teams with winning records.

The total has gone under in seven of Alabama's last 10 games in October.

All college football betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.