I hate Alabama. I hate Crimson Red…. I love Lynard
Skynard, but Lord I hate Sweet Home.
You may know the lyrics, but for nearly 30 years I have lived
them. There is not a more despicable, low down, dirty program than the corrupt
abomination harbored in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. If Tennessee only wins one game a year,
I hope it is the Third Saturday in October.
A History of The SEC:
The SEC, the worlds premier college football conference, was
founded on Gay Street in Knoxville, Tennessee. To this day, 8 of the original
founding members are still calling the conference home. Throughout its storied
history, the most premier rivalry of the most elite conference is the Third
Saturday in October. Nobody has beaten Alabama more than Tennessee. Do not let
the recent history fool you, the old Alabama fans hate Tennessee more than
Auburn and the old Tennessee fans hate Alabama more than Florida. It is Neyland
vs. Bear, Manning running the boot into the endzone, Terrance Cody blocking the
field goal, Chase McGrath hitting the game winner, Will Brooks intercepting
Jalen Milroe to seal the game. This is the rivalry that built the Southeastern
Conference.
A Hateful Preview:
For the 5th straight year both teams enter this
game ranked. Alabama is coming off an emotional home loss to Georgia and
Tennessee just squeaked by a bad Arkansas team. Kalen DeBoer told his team don’t
let Georgia beat you twice. Tennessee’s passing offense has looked pedestrian
this season, but the rush offense is among the best in the country, and the
defense is a top 30 unit in the entire country. Xavier Gillam has been a
wrecking ball and he could be potentially lined up against a backup center.
George MacIntyre will get the start for Tennessee. There have been bright
spots, but he will have to limit turnovers to give the Vols a chance. Tennessee
was in a similar spot in 2024 when Alabama came to town and managed to claw out
an ugly victory by leaning on their defense. I expect a similar game plan this
year.
This may be the best Alabama defense of the DeBoer era, but
the secondary is still shaky. On top of that the injuries are piling up. Ryan
Coleman-Thomas is likely out for this game after entering concussion protocol following
the Georgia game. Alabama’s run game is improved but it is still not the run
game of the Saban years. The Tennessee front seven can exhaust an offense and
Keelon Russell could be on the run from a tenacious pass rush most of the game.
Russell is talented and has been a star for parts of this season, but he is
still a freshman walking into the loudest environment in the sport.
The Tennessee QB Conundrum
Both teams will be starting Freshmen. MacIntyre being a
redshirt has had a year in the system, but the QB play in Knoxville has not
inspired confidence. Ideally George and the offense have started to develop
some chemistry, and we can avoid a similar fumble we saw in the Arkansas
redzone where Bishop hit MacIntyre’s elbow on an RPO. That one play probably
flips how we view the Arkansas game. Overall though, we have seen some good
throws and the ability to stay poised, climb the pocket, and deliver a
catchable ball.
The offensive line has been far from perfect, but it has
been serviceable when the QB is willing to let it rip. I talk about the passing
game because it has the most question marks, but Tennessee will continue to
lean on DeSean Bishop and the rushing attack.
Skills Players:
Another thing from the Arkansas game I saw that I liked was
the increased use of the TE. We saw a huge pass to DaSaahn Brame that set up an
eventual touchdown for Brame rushing the ball as an H back. That is something
we saw a lot from Princeton Fant in the 2022 offense. Mike Matthews has also
been a dog. I love a wide receiver who loves to block, and I smile every time I
see Mike drive block a soft corner like a field plow a mile down field. I would
like to see Mike get a few more touches a game in the form of screens, jet
sweeps, and RPO crossing routes. Staley had one bad drop last week but overall
has been underutilized as well.
The Defense:
This will be a game we have to lean on the defense. Jim
Knowles has improved this unit tremendously. Amare Campbell and Xavier Gillam
have been huge additions for Rodney Garner’s defensive line. The additions of
Qua Moss and the Metcalfs have been noticeable and the breakthrough for
Tellander has had a big impact. The defense (and Qua Moss on punt return) will
have to do everything they can to set the offense up with short fields. I am
looking for Xavier Gillam to have a monster game if the backup center must go
for Alabama.
Keys and Predictions:
The key to the game will be containing Keelon Russell. Don’t
let him bust big runs. Don’t let him dance in the pocket on third and long and
find an open man after the coverage has broken down. He burned Mississippi State
and Kentucky doing just that, but the Vols defensive line should be a significant
step up from those two schools.
On offense it is the same thing I say every week. Limit turn
overs, complete easy passes to the check down take what the defense gives you
and capitalize when you have a breakdown. Play within your game, rely on the
defense and the rush. Hopefully the ball bounces our way and we are lighting
cigars around 7:00.
Prediction: Tennessee +7.5