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Predictions / Week 7, 2026 / Alabama at Tennessee

Tennessee vs Alabama Prediction: Will Alabama Cover -9.5?

Backdoor Cover’s model projects Alabama -20.34 for Alabama at Tennessee, 10.8 points off the market’s Alabama -9.5, and gives Alabama a 90% win probability.

Week7
DateSat, Oct 17
Kickoff3:30 PM
VenueNeyland Stadium, Knoxville, TN
TVABC

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My model
Alabama -20.34
Alabama wins 90.1% of simulations
10.8
points apart
The market
Alabama -9.5
the latest available line
Projected total
52.6
model leans Over 51.5
1.1
points apart
Market total
51.5
the latest available total

What this tells us

My model is more bullish on Alabama than the market is. I have them winning by 20 points with a 90% win probability, while the market only has them favored by 9.5. That's a pretty big gap between what I see and what the market's pricing in.

Model pick
Alabama -9.5

The model's side at the current line. It isn't a bet. I only bet a small share of the model's picks.

About this gap

Games with a gap over 10 points covered 53.0% of the time in the backtest (181 games).

Model vs market Cover % Games
0–3 pts 51.4% 883
3–6 pts 53.9% 616
6–10 pts 54.6% 401
10+ pts (this game) 53.0% 181

Backtest: every game, weeks 2+ of 2023–25.

Weather at kickoff

62°F
temperature
10 mph
wind
0%
precipitation

No significant weather expected.

How the number is built

The model rates every FBS team on efficiency, adjusted for opponent, and refits every week. It predicts a score, which becomes a spread and a total. Backdoor Cover Picks are the few games I bet.

My track record starts with the 2026 season. Picks are posted before kickoff and graded once the game finishes.

Common questions

Who does the model project to win Tennessee vs Alabama?

Backdoor Cover’s model projects Alabama to win, with a 90% win probability.

What is the model’s predicted spread for Alabama at Tennessee?

The model projects Alabama -20.34 and the market has Alabama -9.5, a gap of 10.8 points.

What side does the model favor against the spread?

Alabama -9.5, at the current number. Backdoor Cover Picks may still pass on this game.

Recent meetings

2025 Alabama 37, Tennessee 20 Alabama won
2024 Tennessee 24, Alabama 17 Tennessee won
2023 Alabama 34, Tennessee 20 Alabama won
2022 Tennessee 52, Alabama 49 Tennessee won
2021 Alabama 52, Tennessee 24 Alabama won
2020 Tennessee 17, Alabama 48 Alabama won
2019 Alabama 35, Tennessee 13 Alabama won
2018 Tennessee 21, Alabama 58 Alabama won
2017 Alabama 45, Tennessee 7 Alabama won
2016 Tennessee 10, Alabama 49 Alabama won

How the model is doing. 174–154–1 against the spread (53.0%), 97–75 on totals (56.4%) and 247–82 straight up (75.1%) on every game this season.

Backdoor Cover Picks

Is Alabama at Tennessee one of my picks? Subscribers see whether I’m betting it, and if so the side, the line and a recommended unit size.

My track record is on the Track Record page.

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Season predictions: Alabama and Tennessee.

Published Oct 12, 2026. Numbers refreshed Oct 13, 2026.