Crimson Red Sports

It’s almost hard to remember that, prior to the 2007 season, Tennessee held the hammer in this series for a decade, and Alabama victories were considered out of the ordinary.

When Tennessee comes to Tuscaloosa Saturday, the Volunteers will do so as three-touchdown underdogs or more, and conversation among national pundits is centered not on a potential Vol upset, but rather will Tennessee keep the score respectable.

Sleeping on Tennessee would be a mistake; the Volunteers have decent talent, certainly better than Ole Miss and Vanderbilt. But Tennessee also has injury issues throughout its depth chart, and back-to-back losses to LSU and Georgia have shaken UT’s confidence. It doesn’t help the Vol psyche that Alabama just finished burying Ole Miss, turning The Grove into a Nutt-flavored cemetery.

Alabama is trying to get to its off-week before facing LSU the first Saturday in November. Tennessee figures to be fired up to play its chief rival, but a canyon-sized gap in talent threatens to make this game into a snoozer if Alabama is hitting on all cylinders.
 
OFFENSE

Both teams employ versions of the pro-set attack. Tennessee’s is more traditional, based in the I-formation, but the Volunteers haven’t displayed good balance. Tennessee is ranked 25th in passing offense, good for 2nd in the conference...

Tennessee figures to be fired up to play its chief rival, but a canyon-sized gap in talent threatens to make this game into a snoozer if Alabama is hitting on all cylinders.