No. 6 Alabama will be facing its fourth consecutive top-25 opponent this week when it faces off against No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday.
This will be the 108th time these two have met in the Third Saturday in October rivalry game, with Alabama owning a 60-39-8 advantage. Alabama has won 10 straight at home against the Vols, but Tennessee has taken two of the last three games in the rivalry.
Here are a few things to watch this Saturday.
- Expose Tennessee Weakness
Alabama holds one of the best passing offenses in the country, averaging just over 300 yards per game. On the other side of the ball, Tennessee has one of the worst passing defenses in the nation, allowing 258 passing yards per game. Using their strength to take advantage of Tennessee’s weakness will be crucial in grabbing victory.
- Protect the Quarterback
If Alabama wants to exploit the Tennessee secondary, it will have to keep Ty Simpson upright. There is no doubt the talented Crimson Tide receivers will be open nearly every pass play, but if Simpson is not given time, it won’t matter. Alabama has struggled some in pass protection this season, and the Tide will have their hands full with the Tennessee front seven. Tennessee leads the nation in sacks, averaging 4.3 sacks per game, while Alabama allows just over 2 sacks per game.
- Limit Explosive Runs
The Crimson Tide defense has improved at stopping the run, but still ranks in the bottom half of the country in rushing yards allowed. Alabama’s biggest problem with stopping the run is allowing explosive runs. Most of the time, it seems that the Alabama rush defense plugs up the running lanes, but too many times those lanes are left open by a wrong gap fill, and the opposing running back breaks off an explosive run of over 20 yards.
- Home Field Advantage
Alabama has a lot going for it as the home team on Saturday. The home team has won five straight games in this heated rivalry. The Crimson Tide also comes in with a home win streak of 15, which is tied with Boise State for the longest in the country.
- Big Test for the Secondary
The matchup of Tennessee’s pass offense against Alabama’s pass defense will be strength on strength. Tennessee boasts the seventh best passing offense while Alabama counters with the third best pass defense in the nation. This will be the first time that the Crimson Tide secondary will face an elite passing offense like Tennessee, and we will find out if the Alabama secondary is legit.
Alabama will host No. 11 Tennessee Saturday at 6:30 p.m. The game will be televised on ABC.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
