Playing its first game as the nation’s No. 1 team in 20 seasons won’t come with the backing of analytics or Las Vegas.

Alabama is an underdog for the 6 p.m. CT Wednesday visit to No. 10 Tennessee and the number is only getting bigger. After opening as a 2.5-point underdog, the spread moved to 3.5 points on game day.

The Crimson Tide (22-3, 12-0 SEC) climbed to the top of both the Associated Press and coaches polls Monday. It is ranked ahead of the Vols in practically every computer rating but the homecourt is a factor.

On KenPom, Alabama is given a 43% chance of winning in Thompson-Boling Arena where that number is north of 80% in four of the final five regular-season games to follow. The Tide is No. 2 in KenPom’s ranking, ahead of No. 5 Tennessee.

The Vols (19-6, 8-4 SEC) have lost three of the last four games — falling on 3-point buzzer beaters in each of the last two outings.

Alabama has never been No. 1 in the coaches poll and was briefly top-ranked by the AP in the 2002-03 season. It won the first game after hitting No. 1, 82-64 over Morehead State before falling 51-49 at Utah. After spending two weeks on top, Alabama was out of the rankings six week later, finishing the season with a 17-12 record and a first-round loss in the NCAA tournament.

Alabama coach Nate Oats is aware of that bit of history as this Crimson Tide group looks to avoid that kind of slide.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for the Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or on Facebook.