Top-ranked Alabama faces Tennessee at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Knoxville.
The details:
What: No. 1 Alabama at Tennessee
When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m.
Where: Neyland Stadium
Line: Alabama is a 29-point favorite, according to Westgate
This game will determine...
Whether Alabama can extend its current winning streak over the Volunteers to 12 games.
Three things to look for:
1.
Tua Tagovailoa's health: Alabama fans uttered a collective gasp last Saturday, when Tua Tagovailoa aggravated a knee sprain in the third quarter of the Crimson Tide's victory over Missouri. It turned out it was much ado about nothing. But before the Tide's starting quarterback left the game, he authored his most underwhelming performance to date -- failing to connect on ten of his 22 pass attempts while committing his first turnover in 2018. Will Tagovailoa bounce back in a big way on Rocky Top?
2.
The chess match between Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt and Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley: Perhaps no coach understood the potential of Alabama's prolific offense better than Jeremy Pruitt. He was the Crimson Tide's defensive coordinator the past two seasons and witnessed the rise of Tagovailoa and his corps of sophomore targets last year. Pruitt is a master tactician, having learned the tricks of the trade from Nick Saban. It will be interesting to see what schemes he devises to combat Alabama's electrifying attack that is engineered by Tagovailoa and Alabama offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.
3.
The changing of the guard: The signs point to a change at left guard. Alabama's Lester Cotton has struggled for the better part of the season, especially turning in suspect performances during the team's four conference games. During practice this week, Deonte Brown was inserted in Cotton's place with the first-team offensive line. And while Saban made no indication it is a permanent move, he did acknowledge that Cotton is competing for his spot. It bears watching this weekend.
Key matchup:
Tennessee's receivers vs. Alabama's defensive backs
Under Tennessee's new regime, the Volunteers have shown some life in the passing game. Receivers Josh Palmer, Jauan Jennings and Marquez Callaway are becoming viable threats. In its upset victory over Auburn last Saturday, Tennessee produced seven pass plays that covered 20 or more yards, and Saban acknowledged the Vols' wideouts have shown an ability to win "50-50 balls down the field." Alabama's cornerbacks will be challenged, especially with the 6-foot-2 Trevon Diggs no longer able to play due to injury.
By the numbers: 53.6
Alabama's scoring average, which leads the nation.
Tennessee player to watch: Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano
One of the lasting images from Alabama 45-7 victory over Tennessee last season came at the end of the first half, when former Crimson Tide linebacker Rashaan Evans blasted Jarrett Guarantano on the final play of the first half. Guarantano's helmet flew off and he looked dazed on an afternoon he threw for 44 yards and was sacked four times. This season, Guarantano looks more composed. And he authored his best performance yet last Saturday in a victory over Auburn, when he completed 66 percent of his pass attempts and threw for 328 yards. He will determine whether Tennessee can hang with the Tide this Saturday or crumple like he did on the final play of the first half one year ago.
Tide Buzz: What to look for in Alabama-Tennessee game