Alabama vs. Tennessee live updates: No. 6 Crimson Tide look to avoid road trap against rival No. 14 Volunteers

It almost feels disrespectful to call this a "get-right" game for the Crimson Tide given their recent struggles at Neyland Stadium, but unless DeSean Bishop controls this game on the ground for the Vols, I don't see a path to a Tennessee victory. The passing game is a struggle for Josh Heupel, and Alabama can score points in a hurry. Falling behind in the first half could lead to a chorus of boos in Knoxville if the Crimson Tide's defense can put together stops. This is a dangerous game for Tennessee, not so much the betting favorites even without Ryan Coleman-Williams on the outside. ... Alabama 30, Tennessee 17.

The Vols have survived this year behind an elite defense. That unit has carried an offense that ranks just 66th nationally in yards per play and 110th in passing yards per game. But is that defense good enough to hold off Alabama? I'm highly skeptical. Alabama's defense has been susceptible in the secondary this year. But the Vols don't have the passing offense to take advantage of that. The Crimson Tide roll in this game for a second straight year. … Alabama 24, Tennessee 17.

A pair of historic rivals with playoff aspirations are squaring off in a top-15 SEC showdown on Saturday, as No. 6 Alabama travels to No. 14 Tennessee for the Third Saturday in October. The Crimson Tide will be looking to avoid losing consecutive regular season games for the first time since 2007, while the Volunteers will be seeking to snap a four-game home losing streak against ranked opponents.

Alabama (5-1, 3-1 SEC) took a 20-17 home loss to Georgia last week, which leaves the Crimson Tide with a dwindling margin for error entering the second half of their schedule. Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) is coming off an ugly 24-17 win at Arkansas in need of the resume boost that would come with knocking off Alabama.

While Tennessee's defense is thriving midway through the season, facing Alabama will be its toughest test yet. Crimson Tide quarterback Keelon Russell leads the league in passing yards with 1,599 and brings game-changing mobility. Though Alabama star receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is expected to miss the game due to injury, Bama's offense will still pack a punch that tests Tennessee's secondary.

The Volunteers counter with the nation's No. 15 rushing offense and a languishing passing attack that will need to get better if they are going to pull an upset that would reverberate through the SEC and beyond. With blowout road wins over quality foes Kentucky and Mississippi State already in hand, the Tide will look to keep rolling on the road with their first win in Knoxville since 2020.

The Crimson Tide's top pass-catcher will miss Saturday's game at Tennessee after undergoing surgery on his knee to repair a meniscus injury, ESPN reports. Alabama hosts Texas A&M next weekend before its open date prior to a showdown at LSU on Nov. 7. Coleman-Williams leads the team with 23 receptions for 415 yards and four touchdowns this fall, including three scores during SEC play.

The last time Tennessee beat a ranked team at Neyland Stadium was in 2024, when it edged No. 7 Alabama 24-17. The Vols finished 0-3 at home against ranked opponents last season and fell 20-17 to Texas in Week 4, extending their home losing streak against ranked opponents to four games. But something will have to give as the Crimson Tide have dropped two straight inside Neyland Stadium. Whichever team is smoking, the traditional postgame victory cigars will hit a little different this time.

Alabama wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is unlikely to play against No. 14 Tennessee as he deals with multiple injuries, coach Kalen DeBoer announced on Monday. Coleman-Williams is reportedly dealing with both leg and head injuries after the No. 6 Crimson Tide's loss to Georgia. Coleman-Williams was hit in the head and had to be helped off the field multiple times during the 20-17 loss to the Bulldogs on Saturday. The final hit was from Georgia safety KJ Bolden in the fourth quarter, from which he did not return. Coleman-Williams also wore a brace over his right knee during the past two games. 

Alabama's Ryan Coleman-Williams unlikely to play vs. Tennessee amid multiple injuries

Shehan Jeyarajah

Tennessee sophomore quarterback George MacIntyre made his first career start last week in the Volunteers' 24-17 win at Arkansas, stepping in for injured and underperforming freshman Faizon Brandon. Now the question is how long the Volunteers will stick with MacIntyre, who completed 18 of 29 passes for 247 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions against the Razorbacks. Regardless of who gets the nod against Alabama, the Crimson Tide's priority will be to slow down the SEC's second-leading rusher, DeSean Bishop, and to make Tennessee's fledgling passing attack prove that it can deliver.

With a win, Alabama will have an 87.7% chance of reaching the College Football Playoff, according to the CBS Sports College Football Playoff Forecaster. A loss would drop that mark to 52.9% and crush Alabama's margin for error. Because the Crimson Tide's strength of schedule lags behind others in the SEC, its case for inclusion as a three-loss team would be shaky. Tennessee's playoff odds would shoot to 51.6% with a win and drop to 16.8% with a loss. 

Tennessee's defense and run game have carried it to a 5-1 start. Replicating that formula against Alabama won't be possible unless the Crimson Tide shoot themselves in the foot with turnovers and special team miscues. Because the Crimson Tide won't respect the Volunteers' passing game, they'll be able to load the box and frustrate Tennessee's ground game, much like Texas did in Week 4. Offensively, Alabama has too much firepower to be fully restrained for four quarters. Look for Bama to pull away in the fourth quarter. Pick: Alabama -8.5