The stage is set for an SEC heavyweight showdown as the No.11 Tennessee Volunteers (5-1) roll into Tuscaloosa to square off against the No.6 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1) — a clash that could reshape the conference hierarchy. This isn’t just another Saturday in the South; it’s a collision of powerhouses with pride, playoff dreams, and bragging rights on the line.
For Tennessee, this might be their toughest test yet, even after battling a gauntlet of skilled opponents. The Vols are riding a three-game win streak, improving to 2-1 in SEC play after surviving a late scare in their 34-31 thriller against Arkansas in Week 7. It was a game that showcased Tennessee’s firepower but also exposed their tendency to flirt with disaster.
The Vols appeared to have things wrapped up, leading 34-17 early in the fourth quarter. But just when it seemed over, the Razorbacks clawed their way back with two unanswered touchdowns, forcing Tennessee fans to hold their breath through the final minutes. Despite being outgained 496-485 in total yards, the Vols’ opportunistic defense flipped the script by winning the turnover battle 3-0 — the difference between heartbreak and celebration.
Head coach Josh Heupel's offense remains electric, but the defense has shown just enough resilience to keep Tennessee’s playoff hopes alive. The question now: can the Vols’ explosive tempo hold up against Alabama's suffocating pressure in one of the most hostile environments in college football?
Meanwhile, Alabama looks like a team rediscovering its old swagger. The Crimson Tide have quietly pieced together a 3-0 mark in SEC play, grinding out wins the old-fashioned way, with toughness, discipline, and a defense that doesn't blink.
Coming off a 27-24 road win over Missouri in Week 7, Kalen DeBoer's crew proved yet again they can win tight, gritty contests. The Tide barely edged Missouri in total yardage (326-325) but imposed their will elsewhere, controlling the tempo, outpacing the Tigers in first downs (22-14), and dominating time of possession (38:33). Alabama’s ground game wasn’t flashy but effective, chewing up 126 rushing yards on 43 carries, while the defense once again delivered when it mattered most.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch the Alabama vs Tennessee NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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Alabama vs Tennessee: Date and kick-off time
The Crimson Tide will take on the Volunteers in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at 7:30 pm ET or 4:30 pm PT at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, AL.
| Date | Saturday, October 18, 2025 |
| Kick-off Time | 7:30 pm ET or 4:30 pm PT |
| Venue | Bryant-Denny Stadium |
| Location | Tuscaloosa, AL |
How to watch Alabama vs Tennessee on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: ABC
- Streaming service: Fubo
Streaming the game with a VPN
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Alabama vs Tennessee news & key players
Alabama Crimson Tide team news
Alabama's own offense seems to be rounding into vintage form. Junior quarterback Ty Simpson was sharp in last week’s win, completing throws with poise and precision en route to 200 yards and three touchdowns. Senior tailback Jam Miller shouldered the rushing load, logging 20 carries for 85 yards, while junior wide receiver Isaiah Horton added three catches for 34 yards and a touchdown.
The Crimson Tide continue to rely on their passing game to set the tone, putting up 34.8 points per game (36th nationally) behind a potent aerial attack that ranks 14th in the country at 304.5 yards per game. The run game lags behind at 126.5 yards per contest (102nd), but the Tide make up for it with a defense that rarely gives an inch, allowing just 17.3 points per game (22nd) and smothering opposing quarterbacks with the nation’s 3rd-best pass defense (135.7 yards allowed per game).
Simpson has emerged as a legitimateHeisman Trophy contender, boasting a clinical 1,678 yards, 16 touchdowns, and just one interception on the season. The tandem of Horton and Germie Bernard has been electric, combining for 682 yards and nine touchdowns, while Miller, despite missing time, has tallied 267 rushing yards and a score in just three appearances.
However, Alabama could be shorthanded this week — Miller remains questionable with a concussion, and linebacker Cayden Jones has already been ruled out with an ankle injury.
Tennessee Volunteers team news
Sophomore running back DeSean Bishop stole the spotlight for Tennessee last weekend, carving up Arkansas’' defense with 14 carries for 146 yards and a touchdown in a dazzling display of burst and balance. Fellow sophomore Peyton Lewis chipped in with eight carries for 33 yards and two scores, while senior quarterback Joey Aguilar kept the aerial attack humming, throwing for 221 yards and a touchdown to round out a well-balanced offensive performance.
The numbers tell the story — Tennessee's offense is operating at a level few teams in the nation can touch. The Volunteers sit atop college football in scoring offense, averaging an eye-popping 48.2 points per game. They're not just lighting it up through the air either — they rank 7th nationally in passing yards (317.8 per game) and 22nd in rushing (210.0 per game), showcasing a dynamic balance that keeps defenses guessing.
Joey Aguilar has been the steady hand guiding this offensive juggernaut, throwing for 1,680 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions so far. On the ground, the duo of Bishop and Lewis has been lethal, combining for 10 rushing touchdowns, with Bishop averaging a jaw-dropping 7.6 yards per carry. Veteran back Star Thomas provides steady support, picking up 5.3 yards a touch, while junior wideout Chris Brazzell II continues to torch opposing secondaries, leading the team with 32 receptions, 536 yards, and seven scores.
Still, not everything is picture-perfect in Knoxville. The defense, though ferocious up front, remains a work in progress. The Vols are still without standout corner Jermod McCoy, who tore his ACL in the offseason, leaving a gaping hole in the secondary. Tennessee leads the entire nation in sacks per game (4.3), but the aggressive approach has come at a cost — they sit last in the SEC in passing yards allowed (257.8 per game) and rank 106th nationally in points allowed (29.3 per game). It’s an all-gas, no-brakes style that’s thrilling to watch but dangerous against elite opponents like Alabama.