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Tennessee has chance to change the season’s narrative with win at Alabama
By Randy Capps
Published:
2015 has been the season of “what ifs” for the Tennessee Volunteers.
What if the Vols could have held onto a 17-3 fourth-quarter lead against Oklahoma? What if they could have gotten just one fourth-down stop against Florida? What if they could have found a way to build on an early 14-0 lead and beat Arkansas?
The furious rally against Georgia a couple of weeks back did wonders for the Tennessee program. It provided a much-needed win in a close game, and it kept the Volunteers alive in the race for an SEC East title.
Maybe I should have added “barely” to that last bit. To reach Atlanta, the Volunteers can’t really afford another league loss. And they need a little help along the way — namely a Georgia win over Florida on Halloween.
However, before anything else, Tennessee has to find a way to visit Tuscaloosa and beat Alabama on Saturday (3:30 ET, CBS).
It certainly won’t be easy.
The Volunteers are a 15.5-point underdog and have lost eight straight games to the Crimson Tide.
Alabama has shrugged off an early-season loss to Ole Miss with four straight drama-free wins — the latest being a 41-23 pasting of Texas A&M on the road last week.
The Tide ranks 3rd nationally against the run, allowing just under 71 yards per game, and 6th nationally in total defense.
In addition, Derrick Henry ranks in the top 10 nationally in both rushing yards (901) and touchdowns (12).
It will be the toughest test to date, but one that coach Butch Jones and the Volunteers must pass if they want to change this season’s narrative from “what if” to “remember when?”
ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE CLOSER LOOK
Top player, offense: Jake Coker, Sr., QB — Henry is a known commodity. It’s the play of Coker that could shape the outcome of this game. The senior transfer was 19 of 25 for 138 yards last week against Texas A&M as his defense and running game handled most of the heavy lifting in that win. Obviously, dealing with the Tide’s running game is job No. 1. If the Vols can manage that (and it’s much easier said than done), Coker will need to make plays in the passing game. And the reviews on him in those situations are still very much mixed.
Top player, defense: Eddie Jackson, Jr., SS — Jackson feasted on Aggies quarterbacks last week, picking off both Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray. He returned the Allen interception 93 yards for a touchdown and now has an SEC-high 5 interceptions on the season. With Jackson and standout freshman Minkah Fitzpatrick lurking in the secondary, Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs will need to make good decisions in the passing game.
Top player, special teams: Adam Griffith, Jr., PK — While he’s been perfect on his 31 extra-point tries, field goals have been a bit of an adventure for the Georgia native. He’s 8 of 14 on the season, which is at the bottom of the league rankings for accuracy. However, he has made his last three kicks. That should provide a bit of a boost for his confidence.
Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.
