Saturday Spotlight
(3) Alabama Crimson Tide at (6) Tennessee Volunteers
Alabama: Their game last weekend was a nailbiter. Nick Saban decided to play the trickery game by making Bryce Young a game-time decision only to roll out the backup Quarterback, Jalen Milroe. I get why he did that because he was trying to confuse the Texas A&M defense. This is no disrespect to Milroe, but you won’t get far with him as your starting Quarterback. Bryce Young won the Heisman for a reason last season. I think you’re beginning to see just how valuable he is to this team. That’s why the term most valuable player speaks volumes and I say that because you go without a player and the dynamic of the team changes. That’s exactly what you’re seeing. Usually, I’m on board saying the Crimson Tide are a team you don’t want to face. I can honestly say I haven’t felt that way this year and I’ve been saying this since the week two game against the Texas Longhorns. Continuing with my honesty, they should’ve blown past the Aggies last weekend, but they didn’t. I understand a win is a win, but they haven’t looked sharp while winning. I can say what’s impressed me has been their Offensive Line. They’re clicking and get it going at the right time. Their offense has been different this year. I was telling a radio associate the other day they’ve gone back to the old school attack which is running the football because they don’t have the explosive receivers this year, they’ve had the last few seasons. Today, they’ll make a trip to Knoxville where they’ll take on a much-improved Volunteers team.
Tennessee: They continue to impress me. One of my radio associates was so high on them and after watching them a few times this year, I understand why. As I said a few weeks back before they played the Florida Gators, that offense is electric and can strike at any time. They’re averaging 46 points per game and 7.2 yards per play so this means they can move the ball down the field and get yards in large chunks at that. I was excited getting the chance to watch Hendon Hooker play all those weeks back. He’s the catalyst of this high-powered offense and makes everything fire for this on all cylinders for Head Coach Josh Heupel. What’s stood out to me with Hendon has been his ability to hurt defenses with his legs. Whenever people think of most mobile Quarterbacks, they automatically assume that they’re run first guys, but that’s not the case with Hendon one bit. He looks to pass first and when there’s nothing in the passing game, he gets those yards with his feet. As a passer, he’s yet to turn the football over which is the most impressive stat. This means he takes tremendous care of the football. The supporting cast of weapons for the Volunteers have also been excellent this year. The defense has also been gritty and improved this year. This was a unit in 2021 that allowed over 200 yards rushing per game. I’ve seen the improvements. Today, they’ll welcome Nick Saban and company to town.
Alabama X-Factor: Dallas Turner– We hear about Will Anderson all the time and rightfully so, he’s the best defensive player in the country. Let’s meet his counterpart, Dallas Turner. He has that relentless motor. Even when he works himself up the field a little too much, Dallas finds a way to get himself to the football. That’s playing until the whistle blows. This is exactly what a coach preaches. Dallas gets to the Quarterback by all means. Whether it’s a bullrush or a stunt, his pursuit of the passer amazes me. He’s unblockable if you don’t get low and square up or get hands on him.
Tennessee X-Factor: Jaylin Hyatt– He’s become one of the best Wide Receivers in the SEC. Jaylin is an athlete and he shows it on the field each week. He has the ability to separate and create space with fluid route running is what sets him apart from many other receivers in the conference. If you Jaylin in stride with the football, it’ll fall right into the breadbasket. He’s grown tremendously as a football player this year. I see a more confident guy who feels he can make every catch. There were moments last season when he would drop passes and it would hurt his confidence.
Final Thoughts: This is my first time ever previewing the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry. This will be the best offense that the Alabama defense has seen all season long. What’s looming over this game is the status of Bryce Young. If Bryce is at full strength, the Volunteers offense will have their hands full trying to contain him. Jahmyr Gibbs will be called upon early. Look for Offensive Coordinator Bill O’Brien to get him the ball in different capacities such as jet sweeps and quick passes. The Crimson Tide receiving core might not have the same explosiveness as they did in previous years, but they don’t lack options and appear to be rounding into form. The recipe for Tennessee is to get a few big plays from Hooker, win the turnover battle, make stops in the red zone, get stops on third downs and get the ball back to your offense. If you know anything about a Bama defense, they’ve struggled in years past against mobile Quarterbacks. Tennessee must take advantage of this along with attacking that Tide secondary.
Prediction: Tennessee 33, Alabama 28
