Alabama and Tennessee will meet again on the third Saturday in October in a high-stakes SEC matchup as the race for the SEC title heats up.
Alabama heads into Knoxville off its season-low scoring showing in a disappointing 20-17 loss to Georgia. Alabama had not scored fewer than 45 points before the Georgia matchup.
Tennessee is riding high into this matchup with back-to-back SEC wins over Auburn and Arkansas, getting its record to 5-1 overall. The Volunteers have done all of this while starting quarterback Faizon Brandon has been dealing with injuries, forcing Tennessee to turn to backup quarterback George MacIntyre.
The Volunteers will again turn to MacIntyre as Brandon remains listed as questionable for Saturday.
Alabama’s defense last week was solid at times but had some major breakdowns that led to large plays along with unforced penalties. Alabama’s run defense was uncharacteristic, giving up 206 rush yards to Georgia, which is only the second game in which the Tide has given up over 100 rush yards.
Tennessee running back DeSean Bishop has been on a tear recently in the last two games, rushing for 220 yards vs. Auburn, then following that up with 138 rushing yards vs. Arkansas last week.
The Volunteers run the ball at a high rate of about 43 rushes per game, which puts them top 10 in the country.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel was asked this week how his team can get the run game going early.
“Well, sometimes the run game doesn’t just pop right off the bat,” Heupel said. “There’s a totality to the run game, the physical nature of the game, too.”
This season, Alabama has given up an average of just under 100 rush yards per game, while Tennessee averages over 200 rushing yards per game. Something must give, and the result could have a major impact on the outcome of this matchup.
Alabama’s defense has been great at turning teams over, averaging 2.3 takeaways a game, which is top five in the country. If Alabama can turn Tennessee over, it gives quarterback Keelon Russell and his offense more opportunities to redeem themselves after their 17-point performance last week.
The Georgia game was Russell’s first top-ten matchup as a starter, and head coach Kalen DeBoer said it was a learning moment for his quarterback.
“But also, those are things that have happened earlier in the season,” DeBoer said. “It isn’t like he didn’t learn a lesson, but he’s done a good job of controlling that part of it and that kind of group of areas where you want to always be learning and getting it better.”
Russell’s versatility has been his biggest strength this year, having both a great arm and the ability to use his legs when needed. Russell’s status as a dual-threat quarterback has accelerated Alabama’s offense and opened up many opportunities for others.
This is nothing new to Josh Heupel, who talked about Russell’s dynamic ability early in the week.
“Quarterback’s a dynamic player,” Heupel said. “You know, he’s throwing extremely efficiently, a bunch of yards, but extends, makes plays with his feet. Scramble to run, but also throw the football down the field if you’re not matching things out. So, you know, us defensively, massive test.”
Russell’s top target, wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams, is questionable to play on Saturday after suffering multiple injuries last week vs. Georgia. This will force Russell to spread the ball around more and potentially rely on his legs more.
Russell is going up against a Tennessee defense that has only allowed 16.8 points per game, while Alabama’s offense scores the most points per game in the country at 44.2.
It will be a marquee SEC matchup in Knoxville on Saturday as two top-25 teams clash in Neyland Stadium.
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