Nick Saban thinks Tennessee’s path to upsetting Alabama is pretty straightforward: make the game smaller.
With No. 6 Alabama heading to Neyland Stadium in Week 7 to face No.
16 Tennessee, the former Crimson Tide coach pointed to a Tennessee team that’s winning in a way few people associate with Josh Heupel’s program. On College GameDay Saturday morning, Saban said the Vols are leaning on defense, the run game and possession control to tilt games their way.
“Nobody looks at Tennessee like a team that plays really good defense, runs the ball, shrinks the game,” Saban said. “That’s never been their M.O.
But that’s the way they’re winning this year. They’re only giving up 15 points per game on defense.
They got really good pass defense - give up 160 yards per game. They’re leading the SEC in sacks, so they’re able to affect the quarterback.
They play pretty well in the red zone. That makes them hard to score against.
They run the ball and shrink the game, and limit Alabama’s number of possessions, offensively. That may be the key for them in this game.”
That formula lines up with the challenge Alabama has already faced in Knoxville. The Vols have made the Tide’s recent trips to Rocky Top miserable, handing them road losses in 2022 and 2024. Kalen DeBoer still hasn’t won inside Neyland, and Alabama could be staring at back-to-back losses if it can’t get the job done Saturday.
The timing of Saban’s message also fits what happened last week, when Georgia went into Alabama and controlled the game by stringing together long drives and keeping the Tide offense off the field. The Bulldogs also spent the night getting after sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell.
Tennessee may not be as talented or as deep as Georgia, but Saban’s point remains the same: if the Vols can dictate tempo, defend the pass, pressure the quarterback and shorten the game, they have a real shot to put Alabama in another difficult spot.
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 🡒]
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 🡒]
Alabama Heads To Tennessee With A New Problem Up Front
Alabama heads into Saturdays matchup at Tennessee with a wrinkle it did not need in the middle of the line. Center Racin Delgatty was downgraded to out on the SEC injury report after hurting his knee in the previous game, and the Tide are expected to turn to sophomore Mal Waldrep Jr. to handle the snap duties in a tough road spot.
The injury report leaves Alabama shuffling more than just one spot, too. Wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is also out, while tight end Josh Ford is listed as questionable, adding another layer of uncertainty to how the offense will look as it tries to navigate a difficult SEC test without a key piece up front. [Read more 🡒]