Alabama heads into Saturday’s road matchup at Tennessee trying to shake off a frustrating loss to Georgia, and the Crimson Tide have enough firepower to get right. They’re favored even away from home, which says plenty about the belief around this team. But the Volunteers are no pushover, and Alabama’s margin for error is thin.
The biggest key may be simple: Kalen DeBoer can’t let the moment get too big. After a tough week, Alabama needs a clean, confident approach instead of one that gets too cute.
DeBoer has made real progress in his first season, but the Crimson Tide still need to finish strong if they want him to ease any heat around the program. Alabama has the talent to win this one, but only if it trusts its plan and carries it out without hesitation.
A big part of that plan runs through Keelon Russell, who has developed into one of the country’s most dangerous quarterbacks. He’s given Alabama a real jolt on offense, and that impact has come both in the pocket and as a runner.
Russell has thrown for 1,599 yards with 12 touchdowns and just two touchdowns, while also adding 225 rushing yards and four scores on the ground. If he stays on that track against Tennessee, Alabama’s offense should have a chance to keep control of the game.
On the other side, the Tide have to deal with Tennessee’s ground attack, and that starts with DeSean Bishop. The Volunteers lean on a run-heavy approach that has fueled plenty of their success this season, and Bishop has been at the center of it.
He’s rushed for 678 yards and eight touchdowns, giving Tennessee a steady engine on offense. If Alabama can bottle up the run and force Tennessee into throwing situations, that would go a long way toward tilting the game in the Crimson Tide’s favor.
In Other News...
Nick Saban Backed Alabama But His GameDay Warning Stood Out
ESPNs College GameDay spent part of its pregame spotlight laying out the weekend board, with Pat McAfee, Steve Young, Nick Saban, Desmond Howard and Kirk Herbstreit each making their official picks and weighing the strengths and concerns around several marquee matchups. The discussion ranged from BYU over Notre Dame, a choice McAfee and Young both backed, to the SEC showcase in Knoxville, where Alabama was the preferred pick for most of the panel.
Saban did stick with the Crimson Tide in that one, but his commentary carried a different kind of edge than a simple pick sheet endorsement. As the crew worked through the game, the former Alabama coachs warning about what could decide the outcome stood out, a reminder that even when he believes in his old team, he is still quick to point out the sort of challenge that can turn a big Saturday into a stressful one. [Read more 🡒]
Nick Saban Sees One Real Threat In Alabama's Trip To Neyland
The build-up to Alabamas trip to Neyland Stadium has plenty of familiar edge, but Nick Saban pointed to one area that could matter most when the No. 6 Crimson Tide meet No. 16 Tennessee in Week 7. On College GameDay, the former Alabama coach broke down the Volunteers defensive strengths and highlighted a unit that can limit scoring, defend the pass and get after the quarterback, all traits that can disrupt an offenses rhythm in a hurry.
For Alabama, that means the usual SEC road-game questions are suddenly about more than noise and history. If Tennessee can force the Tide into longer drives and tougher third-down situations, the game could turn into a far tighter battle over possessions than rankings suggest, with the Volunteer defense shaping the kind of afternoon Alabama gets at one of the conferences most demanding venues. [Read more 🡒]
Kalen DeBoer Knows Whats Threatening Alabama In Knoxville
At halftime in Knoxville, Alabama finds itself locked in a tight, physical game with Tennessee, trailing 12-10 despite a first-half showing that has kept the Crimson Tide within reach on the road. The difference has been small but meaningful, with kicker Cooper Ranvier accounting for four field goals for the Vols while Alabama has had to lean on a defense that has bent without fully breaking.
Kalen DeBoer pointed to the same issues that have shaped the half for both sides: turnovers on offense and the pressure of a game being played with very little room for error. Keelon Russell has had his struggles with the ball, even as he provided Alabamas only touchdown, and the Tide defense has managed to force Tennessee into field goals rather than seven points while still being outgained overall. [Read more 🡒]