Sixth-ranked Alabama visits 14th-ranked Tennessee in Third Saturday in October rivalry
No. 6 Alabama plays at No. 14 Tennessee on Saturday afternoon on ABC, CBS Sports reported. Both teams are 5-1 going into the old rivalry game. Alabama's top receiver, Ryan Coleman-Williams, is likely to miss it, CBS Sports and The Associated Press reported.
AP No. 6 Alabama (5-1, 3-1 SEC) plays at AP No. 14 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1 SEC) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville in the Third Saturday in October rivalry, CBS Sports and The Associated Press reported. The game is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, according to CBS Sports and Tennessee's official game notes, and the notes' gameday timeline lists kickoff at 3:45 p.m.
Alabama is trying to avoid losing consecutive regular-season games for the first time since 2007 after a 20-17 home loss to Georgia, CBS Sports reported. Tennessee is trying to snap a four-game home losing streak against ranked opponents, CBS reported.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell leads the SEC with 1,599 passing yards, CBS Sports reported. Receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is expected to miss the game with an injury, CBS reported. Coach Kalen DeBoer said Monday that Coleman-Williams, who has multiple injuries including a concussion, was doubtful, The Associated Press reported. The SEC's final availability report Friday night listed him out, along with starting center Racin Delgatty, who was hurt late in the Georgia game, and listed tight end Josh Ford as questionable, Tide 100.9 reported.
Sophomore George MacIntyre made his first career start last week in Tennessee's 24-17 win at Arkansas, CBS Sports reported. Tennessee plans to start him again, ESPN reported Thursday, citing sources. Season-opening starter Faizon Brandon, who hurt his shoulder against Texas on Sept. 26, according to ESPN, is listed as available, Tide 100.9 reported. The Volunteers have the nation's No. 15 rushing offense and the SEC's second-leading rusher, DeSean Bishop, CBS reported.
A win would raise Alabama's playoff chances to 87.7%, while a loss would drop them to 52.9%, according to the CBS Sports College Football Playoff Forecaster. Tennessee's chances would climb to 51.6% with a win and fall to 16.8% with a loss, CBS reported. Tennessee's last win over a ranked team at Neyland Stadium came in 2024, when it beat No. 7 Alabama 24-17, CBS reported.
What we know: Alabama and Tennessee, both 5-1, meet Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET in Knoxville, with Alabama missing its top receiver and starting center.
What we don't: Who will win, and whether Tennessee will use Brandon at all behind MacIntyre.
Where outlets agree CBS Sports and The Associated Press both report that sixth-ranked Alabama plays at 14th-ranked Tennessee on Saturday, likely without receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.