JessN: Tennessee Preview: Favorites or not, getting past Vols would be a milestone for Bama

[JessN]

Tennessee preview: Favorites or not, getting past Vols would be a milestone for Bama
by Jess Nicholas, TideFans.com Editor-In-Chief

There are some games that just mean more. And not just because a playoff spot potentially hangs in the balance.

For Alabama, there is the continuing growth as a team that began in the aftermath of the opening-week debacle against Florida State. There is also the need to avenge last year’s 24-17 loss in Knoxville, a game Alabama feels it probably should have won. And then there are the countless other reasons that all stem from the fact that Tennessee is – well, Tennessee.

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TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - Tennessee preview: Favorites or not, getting past Vols would be a milestone for Bama

There are some games that just mean more. And not just because a playoff spot potentially hangs in the balance. For Alabama, there is the continuing growth as a team that began in the aftermath of …

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Week 08 Info: #11 Tennessee @ #6 Alabama (ESPN @ 630p CDT )

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• JessN Missouri previews:
  • Tennessee @ Alabama Game Preview: Favorites or not, getting past Vols would be a milestone for Bama
  • Projected Depth Chart for Alabama vs. Tennessee
  • SEC Preview and Predictions: Week 8
• JessN's 2025 Season Previews:
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  • 2025 SEC Preview: Rating The Units
  • SEC Preview Tiers: Tier IV | Tier |II | Tier |I | Tier I
  • The "Pitfall Post" ... (What I'm most worried about)
• JessN's 2025 Alabama Previews:
  • "Pitfall Post" ... (What I'm most worried about)
  • QB | RB | WR | OL | DL | LB | DB | ST
• Week 08 Pickem

 

[DrollTide]

It is concerning that recent previews have us losing the unit battles, even though the prediction is a close win. I wonder whether the various yard-based unit rankings are all that illuminating, given the disparity of opponent quality.

Still, the results are the results, and you call them as you see them. Games really have been that close. I prefer the days of going up by 5 touchdowns and running out the clock.

 

[MikeInBama]

It is a testament to Ty and the back end of the defense that we can lose the OL/DL matchups and still eek out a win.

 

[SeventhHeavenRanch7777@gm]

I agree our Ol amd Dl recruiting and Coaching needs a big improvement. Dl has not been up to our standard in several years. We can get fairly decent Ol but it just seems our coaching has not been up to pa. I hope Micheal Carroll can take over Formbys right tackle spot

 

[colbysullivan]

It is concerning that recent previews have us losing the unit battles, even though the prediction is a close win. I wonder whether the various yard-based unit rankings are all that illuminating, given the disparity of opponent quality.

Still, the results are the results, and you call them as you see them. Games really have been that close. I prefer the days of going up by 5 touchdowns and running out the clock.

It's because our strengths are SOOOOOO good.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I think our secondary is hard for quarterbacks to throw on and our defensive line is getting better and better at containment and getting pressure. It's been a gradual improvement, not eye popping. I think Jess' grade of their defensive line being better than ours comes from them having more sacks than we do, they lead the conference in sacks. But they are weak on the back end where they are one of the worst pass defenses in the conference.

Overall, it should be a close game but like the Missouri game, if our OL gives Ty time, we should score a lot of points on them and Aguilar is good for an INT or two. He's not as accurate as Simpson.

 

[Special K]

I actually think our D-line play has been better than we give them credit for. If not for the explosives in the run game, our rush defense would be pretty good overall. And from what I've seen - most of the time anyway - the explosive runs have resulted from bad run fits by the linebackers and safeties OR just a really poor defensive call in a critical situation - not (mostly) from D-line issues. Now, the QB pressure from our front was not great early in the season but is improving each week.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Now, the QB pressure from our front was not great early in the season but is improving each week.

This is where Bama is turning the corner as we get into the meat of the schedule.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

I think Jess' grade of their defensive line being better than ours comes from them having more sacks than we do, they lead the conference in sacks.

It didn't help them from stopping Miss St and Arky from going up and down the field.

 

[Cruloc]

I imagine most defenses will do like Missouri's......put a lot of guys in coverage, not let anything get over the top, rush 4 and occasionally blitz.

Ty has been so good, he finds the hole in the coverage anyway.

If Jam is limited.....I hope Hill gets some runs and just let him lean on those DLs and LBs.

Where I'm worried in this game though is our D. Tennessee is super explosive and they run the ball well. Hopefully we confuse their QB into a couple of interceptions.

 

[RollTitanRoll]

Limit UT’s big plays, protect TY and Bama covers in this one.
The avg ranking in total defense of UT’s opponents is 89th. Bama will be the first top 20 defense they have played and only the 3rd defense in the top 50.

 

[CoolBreeze]

As usual, as the game approaches it seems to get bigger and bigger. I like our chances here. Certainly battle tested. Vomit will come out all guns a blazin but I believe we win in the big play column as well as the game. It will be another 4 quarter affair though so will need to hit the mute button on the set and have the nitro glycerin pills close by (or maybe a tasty Scotch). This will be another good one.

 

[BhamToTexas]

I just can't get on board with their Defense being better than ours considering the stats of both team. And we have played a significantly harder schedule.

 

[Dmac62]

Looking at some statistics of offenses we have played and both Vanderbilt and Missouri on average score 42 points and our defense held both teams to 14 and 24 points. I believe our defense will keep Tennessee in the mid 20 point range based on previous history. We can gain yardage and keep time of possession in this game with our passing game and some running plays scattered in and we should score in the mid 30 point range or get a big enough lead on Tennessee and we take them out of their running game.

 

[Special K]

I imagine most defenses will do like Missouri's......put a lot of guys in coverage, not let anything get over the top, rush 4 and occasionally blitz.

Ty has been so good, he finds the hole in the coverage anyway.

If Jam is limited.....I hope Hill gets some runs and just let him lean on those DLs and LBs.

Where I'm worried in this game though is our D. Tennessee is super explosive and they run the ball well. Hopefully we confuse their QB into a couple of interceptions.

Regarding Ty and the passing game, remember UT plays a lot of zone - and with our WR corps we see a lot of zone anyway. Ty has to be patient and not play hero ball. There will be holes in the zone, just take what they give you, "stack plays" as CKD says, and march it down the field - and keep UT's offense on the bench as much as possible.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

I believe our defense will keep Tennessee in the mid 20 point range based on previous history.

Bama shut them out in the first half in Knoxville in last year's game. Bama had chances to win the game, but turnovers killed it. the final was score 24-17. TOP has been a very strong advantage for Bama the last few games so that will play a huge factor in keeping their offense on the sidelines.

 

[rolltd]

I do not want this game turning into a shootout. Eliminate their quick scores

 

[teamplayer]

Seeing these matchups, I'm surprised that we are 8 point favorites. I hope we beat the coon dog out of them. Roll Tide!

 

[BamaMoon]

Is it possible we are more of a "team" than the individual units, which is how JessN does his predictions???

I think so. He may too; he picked us to win. I just hope it's by a wider margin!