ESPN analyst and former Alabama head coach Nick Saban has made his pick for the annual battle of Tennessee and Alabama. Saban does a solid job of setting aside his rooting interests, so he carefully explained his pick as he took his former employer, Alabama, to win as a home favorite in the rivalry matchup.

Nick Saban drops bold Alabama-Tennessee rivalry claim, his surprising take comes ahead of tonight's big showdown.

Saban picked Alabama to defeat Tennessee on Saturday. Jelly Roll served as a guest picker and was the only person on panel to pick the Vols to win at Alabama. Follow Vols Wire on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).

Kirby Smart, Lane Kiffin, Dan Lanning, Mario Cristobal. The 2015 national champion Alabama coaching staff was loaded under Nick Saban:

Nick Saban offered Kalen DeBoer a pointed warning about Tennessee’s rushing attack ahead of Alabama’s SEC showdown in Week 8. Kalen DeBoer and the No. 6 Alabama Crimson Tide have a big test ahead, facing the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Week 8.

When you hear Lane Kiffin whistle, it’s bad news the opponent. Nick Saban, while talking to Georgia coach Kirby Smart during an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay, asked his former Alabama defensive coordinator how important it is to disguise your defense prior to the snap from the Ole Miss coach,

Nick Saban picked No. 10 LSU to beat No. 18 Vanderbilt on Oct. 18. However, it's the reason why he did so that is interesting.

Nick Saban picked No. 10 LSU to beat No. 18 Vanderbilt on Oct. 18. However, it's the reason why he did so that is interesting.

James Franklin took the high road during his “College GameDay” interview Saturday in his first public comments since Penn State fired him earlier in the week, so Nick Saban did the criticizing.