Ad Disclosure
ESPN has identified the most important game on Alabama’s schedule for the 2025 season.
The World Wide Leader published a story earlier this week outlining a “season-defining” game for each team in its way-too-early top 25. That includes Alabama, who check in at No. 12 on ESPN’s ranking.
For Alabama, that game will come on the Third Saturday in October. This game was chosen for a number of reasons, but mostly for the extremely high stakes that come with this rivalry matchup. After rattling off 15 in a row under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide have now lost 2 of the last 3 games in this series. Alabama will host Tennessee in 2024 at Bryant-Denny Stadium — a place the Vols have not won since 2003.
Here’s an excerpt of analysis from ESPN’s Chris Low:
Tennessee last won back-to-back games in this rivalry in 2003-04. The game also comes at a point in the season when Alabama needs to be playing its best football. It is sandwiched between trips to Missouri on Oct. 11 and South Carolina on Oct. 25, and following the game against the Gamecocks, Alabama gets a bye before taking on LSU at home. In short, it’s difficult to see the Crimson Tide making the playoff if they lose at home to the Vols.
Alabama does play a very difficult schedule in 2025. In addition to this meeting with the Vols, Alabama is also set to face CFP-hopeful teams like Georgia, South Carolina and LSU. Its nonconference slate also includes matchups against Florida State and Wisconsin.
Alabama’s regular-season win total is currently set at 9.5, according to the latest odds from bet365.
States: NJ, PA, AZ, CO, IA, IN, KY, NJ, LA, OH, VA GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER (CO/KY/LA/NJ/OH/VA) and 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA) 21+ (CO/IA/NJ/OH/VA) and 18+ (KY)
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
