'SEC Nation' crew, including Finebaum, misses big on Tennessee football vs Alabama pick

It didn't age well.

Seven hours after the "SEC Nation" crew unanimously picked Alabama football to beat Tennessee, the opposite happened as the No. 14 Vols upset the No. 7 Tide 26-10 on Oct. 17 at Neyland Stadium.

The show originated from Ayres Hall at Tennessee with host Matt Barrie and analysts Tim Tebow, Roman Harper, Chase Daniel and Paul Finebaum.

Tebow, the former star at Florida and Heisman Trophy winner, gave his pick first.

"I think for Tennessee to win it has to be with defense," Tebow said. "… I think Xavier Gilliam has to show up. I think they have to get turnovers. But I don't think they get enough. Alabama too many weapons. And Keelon Russell has the help to get enough and get it done."

Lots of boos from the partisan crowd of Vols fans.

Next up was Daniel, the former Missouri quarterback.

"We talk about Tennessee and their defense. We talk about their offense," said Daniel. "Second career start for (Tennessee QB George) MacIntyre. I just can't get the three turnovers out of my head and you have a Bama team coming to town with a very, very good defense. Keelon Russell is going to be too much. I got Alabama."

More boos.

Harper, who played at Alabama, went as scripted for the Tide.

"I played this game. I know this game will be tough," said Harper. "Tennessee is going to show emotions. The fans are going to be ready. The game will be close and it may go to the fourth quarter. But ultimately, I think Alabama is too much and have too many big things ahead of them. Give me the Tide and yes the Crimson Tide will be smoking cigars."

Boos again.

Would it be a complete sweep from Finebaum, a UT graduate?

"I agree with everything that has been said. There's a reason why this game is slipping away from Tennessee," Finebaum said. "And it has nothing to do with what anything these people have said. There's a judge downtown that kept Joey Aguilar from being in this game and I think if Joey was in this game, I would come out of a coffin again and pick Tennessee. But I'm picking Alabama.

One final chorous of boos.

Alabama. Tennessee.

The SEC Nation Picks are in 👀 pic.twitter.com/105m1GDxNm

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 17, 2026

In the end, Tennessee's defense was stellar, MacIntyre controlled the offense and Russell struggled.

“It was a dream come true," MacIntyre said. "Just being out there, the gratitude I have to be a Vol and play against Bama. Growing up, I always circle this date on the calendar. Wake up early, watch 'GameDay' all day and then turn on the Tennessee-Alabama game. Just glad we could come out and get a win for our fans and our state.”

Phil Kaplan is sports director of the USA TODAY Network South Region.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: 'SEC Nation' crew, including Finebaum, misses big on Tennessee football vs Alabama pick