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Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 9:29 AM ET

Tennessee Hosts Alabama in Knoxville: Kickoff Time, TV and Streaming Details

Tennessee and Alabama meet in Knoxville for the 109th time in one of college football's most storied rivalries, the Third Saturday in October. The game is set for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff, with television coverage on ABC and streaming available through the ESPN App. Alabama enters as a 7.5-point favorite.

At quarterback, Tennessee is expected to start George MacIntyre again. Faizon Brandon, who has been working back from a shoulder injury suffered in the loss to Texas, came off the injury report on Friday night, giving the Volunteers added depth at the position heading into the afternoon.

Running back DeSean Bishop is expected to carry a heavy workload, putting pressure on Tennessee's offensive line to hold up at the line of scrimmage. How well that group performs will go a long way toward determining whether the Volunteers can sustain drives against the Crimson Tide.

On defense, coordinator Jim Knowles faces the challenge of slowing Alabama passer Keelon Russell, who has produced a strong first half of the season. Tennessee will try to keep Russell contained in the pocket, a task made somewhat easier with Alabama receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams and center Racin Delgatty ruled out. That absence in the middle could create opportunities for Xavier Gilliam and Tennessee's defensive front to affect the game.