GameDay preview: Tennessee at No. 1 Alabama
FOUR-DOWN TERRITORY
1. Rivalry renewed?: The weeklong chatter’s surrounded whether The Third Saturday in October can still be considered a rivalry. Alabama’s won 10 straight against Tennessee, five of which were by 30 or more points. Tide coach Nick Saban is adamant this series is still “competitive,” touting his team’s 19-14 squeaker in 2015 and Terrence Cody’s game-winning blocked field goal in 2009 to preserve a 12-10 win. This Vols team enters Tuscaloosa with an 0-3 conference record and without a touchdown in its last 10 quarters of play.
2. Punt problems: Alabama fumbled three first-half punts last week against Arkansas, putting the position suddenly in flux. Freshman and Robert E. Lee graduate Henry Ruggs III muffed two and Trevon Diggs — who began the season as the starting punt returner before suffering a foot injury — fumbled a third. Saban said this week the issues are “fixable” and, after Saturday’s game, reaffirmed his confidence in Ruggs.
3. Guarantano going: For a second consecutive week, Alabama will face a redshirt freshman quarterback. One week after Arkansas trotted out Cole Kelley, Tennessee will summon Jarrett Guarantano, who made his first college start last week against South Carolina. Though Guarantano was an efficient 11-of-18 and didn’t commit a turnover, he was sacked seven times and mustered just 133 yards. Like Kelley, Guarantano is a dual-threat quarterback who is unafraid to take off and run.
4. Pass protection: Alabama’s entire passing game must improve, Saban said this week. It begins up front, where the Tide offensive line has permitted five sacks in the last two games — including two last week to Arkansas. After the game, Saban bemoaned some missed play-action passes due to the pocket collapsing. Left tackle Jonah Williams, named the SEC’s Offensive Lineman of the Week for his performance against the Razorbacks, defended his unit’s play in interviews this week saying the pass protections are “flexible” and must be adhered to no matter what the defense will throw at it.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Bo Scarbrough
RB, Jr., 6-2, 235 pounds
Damien Harris’ explosion has masked what’s been a somewhat underwhelming start for Scarbrough. He’s averaging just 4.99 yards per carry — the fewest of any frequently-used Alabama running back — and is the team’s third-leading rusher. Scarbrough had a breakthrough of sorts against Arkansas, where he carried seven times for 65 yards. Against a Tennessee defense that yields 242.8 rushing yards per game, Scarbrough could continue that upward trajectory.
BY THE NUMBERS
100: This is the 100th meeting between Alabama and Tennessee. The Crimson Tide holds a 54-38-7 advantage, including an 8-4 record in Tuscaloosa. The game was played in Birmingham before 1999.
47.1: Alabama’s defense is forcing a three-and-out on 47.1 percent of drives (41-of-87). That’s tied for fifth nationally and is second in the Southeastern Conference behind Texas A&M.
129.2: Tennessee’s pass defense yields just 129.2 yards per game — first in the Southeastern Conference and first among all Power 5 schools.
10.3: Alabama place-kicker Andy Pappanastos is the Southeastern Conference’s leader with 10.3 points per game and is the league’s second-leading scorer behind only Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson. Pappanastos, who is 12-for-15 on field goals, is tied for 11th nationally in total scoring.
PREDICTION
Whether this recently uncompetitive series remains a rivalry game in the eyes of fans is a legitimate question. What’s not to question is if Alabama’s players view it as one. Shaun Hamilton said the team sings “Rocky Top” all week — it was blaring from the Tide’s training room at times before practice — and many players spoke of the postgame cigar tradition, too. Tide players will be focused, heeding their coach’s directive. Tennessee has no offense to speak of, aside from John Kelly. No one’s been able to run on Alabama’s defensive front yet this season. Expect that to continue and the Vols to become one-dimensional. With a redshirt freshman quarterback, that could spell disaster.
Alabama 45, Tennessee 10
THE GAME
WHEN: 2:30 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa
RECORDS: UT (3-3, 0-3 SEC), UA (7-0, 4-0)
LINE: Alabama by 36
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