(Photo: CBS Sports)
Campus Clash
(7) Alabama Crimson Tide at (11) Tennessee Volunteers
Alabama: I don’t care who a football team is or what their reputation may be, anyone can be criticized at the end of the day. I have not been happy with them in their last two and a half games. They were in cruise control against the Georgia Bulldogs in a heavyweight showdown and came out firing all on cylinders. They established themselves at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football and shut down Georgia’s run game. All of that happened in the first half, then they allowed Georgia to get back into the game. The Tide won by seven, but if I’m a coach in that locker room, that’s chalked up as an L to me because they had too many mistakes and made the common mistake of getting away from what put them in control. The following week against Vanderbilt, they were ranked number one entering the game and fell flat on their face. I also want to give Vandy credit because they did a great job of keeping Jalen Milroe in the pocket and didn’t allow him to create outside the pocket with his legs. They made him a pocket passer. Down went number one! Even in week seven against South Carolina, you’d automatically think this would be the get-right game. Not quite. South Carolina gave them all they could handle and then some. This was a one-point game at one time. In all my years of watching the Alabama Crimson Tide, they’ve always had discipline and structure on defense. I don’t see that so much under Kalen DeBoer as I did with Nick Saban all those years. I’ve also seen some boneheaded mistakes which leads to penalties. This Saturday, they have a huge game in Knoxville.
Tennessee: After the first three weeks of the season, I said the three best teams I saw were the Texas Longhorns, Georgia Bulldogs, and Josh Heupel’s group in Knoxville. They would be in cruise control in the first half, really put the game away in the second half, and by the fourth quarter, the starters would be out. After the SEC opener in Norman against the Oklahoma Sooners, they haven’t looked the best. At the beginning of the year, they were scoring with ease and it didn’t matter where the ball was lined up. In a wild week six, they were stunned by the Arkansas Razorbacks. I’ve said this on this site and throughout the airwaves, the Oklahoma Sooners were the first team to hold the Tennessee Volunteers under 30 points, and in their last two games, they scored 14 in the loss to the Razorbacks and 23 to the Florida Gators in which they had to grind the game out. Nico Iamaleava was a highly sought-after prospect and widely regarded as one of the best Quarterbacks in the country. Before conference play started, he was picking apart defenses left and right along with having the college football world buzzing. Since SEC play has started, he’s looked like a freshman and has struggled as he’s only averaged 174 yards passing with one touchdown pass and he’s been sacked a total of ten times. Even against Florida this past Saturday night, they didn’t look the greatest at times, they just knew when they had to be the better football team. They will welcome the Crimson Tide to town for a rivalry game.
Alabama X-Factor: Jalen Milroe– “You must be insane for having him as your x-factor”. That’s nice, but can I explain my reasoning? Jalen is a nightmare for opposing defenses with his ability to be that dual threat on the field. One thing the Volunteers will do is play man-to-man coverage and they will want to load up to stop the run. Playing man coverage means everyone has someone they are accounted for on the offense. When you play a mobile Quarterback, you tend to account for him and this is exactly why he is my X factor. Jalen will put an enormous amount of pressure on this Vols defense in this game.
Tennessee X-Factor: Dont’e Thornton– The offense many, myself included have raved about has been pedestrian the last few games. Outside of Squirrel White and Dylan Sampson, who exactly scares you on this offense? Dont’e leads the team in receiving yards with 295. With defenses zooming in on Squirrel and Dylan, this could be the game where Dont’e can help open up the passing game and give Nico another weapon. He’s that tall possession receiver at 6’5 and was a transfer from Oregon. Put the ball in the air, he will come down with it. This could be the help they need.
Final Thoughts: It’s the “Third Saturday in October” which means one thing. The Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers are set to do battle! I got the chance to preview this legendary rivalry for the first time in 2022 and what a thrilling game that was between Bryce Young and Hendon Hooker. This was the game when Jaylin Hyatt scored five touchdowns en route to a Tennessee victory. Last year, they met in Tuscaloosa and Alabama got their revenge. This year, so much is on the line and the winner will be in much better shape to potentially make the playoffs. Jalen Milroe must be big-time in this game. He didn’t look the best against South Carolina and he will be tested by a Volunteers defense that’s been one of the best this year. I also see this group of Tide Wide Receivers attacking these young corners of Tennessee. This Tide defense can be had and this would be a perfect chance for them to fix their offensive woes if they can attack. Look for Tennessee to attack Alabama in the trenches with the front seven. If the Tide can keep Milroe clean, it will give him time to hit his playmakers in the passing game. I have faith in the Crimson Tide fixing their defensive woes, I can’t say the same about Tennessee. I like Alabama to get a win in Knoxville this Saturday.
Prediction: Alabama 30, Tennessee 21
