Tennessee may catch a break in the middle of the line this weekend if Alabama center Racin Delgatty can’t go.
Delgatty left the Georgia game with a lower-body injury after getting rolled up awkwardly on the final drive, and his status for Week 7 in Knoxville is still up in the air. He was described as “limited for sure” early this week, with Mal Waldrep next in line if Alabama has to turn to the backup.
That would matter plenty for a Crimson Tide offense that has leaned on Delgatty, especially in his work with Keelon Russell. The two have built a strong bond, and losing that kind of stability at center would be a real complication for Kalen DeBoer’s group.
For Tennessee, the spotlight would shift quickly to Xavier Gilliam. The Penn State transfer has been one of the Vols’ best defensive players to start the season, and he’s coming off another sack in Tennessee’s 24-17 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville. Through the year, the 6-foot-2, 305-pound Gilliam has piled up 14 pressure, five sacks, and two forced fumbles.
If Delgatty sits, that’s the kind of matchup Tennessee wants to exploit. Alabama would be trying to keep its offense together without one of its most important interior pieces, while the Vols would be looking to create more disruption up front.
That task could get even trickier for the Tide if star wide receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is also sidelined. He is doubtful against Tennessee, and Jim Knowles will have that in mind as he looks for ways to put Ryan Grubb in a tougher spot.
DeBoer’s comments made it sound like Delgatty’s chances aren’t great, even if the final call hasn’t been made. Tennessee enters the game as an underdog, but an Alabama lineup missing Delgatty would at least give the Vols another opening as they try to hand the Tide their second loss of the season.
In Other News...
Vols Grind Out Road Win As One Arkansas Moment Steals Attention
Tennessees trip to Fayetteville ended with a 24-17 win over Arkansas, a result that steadied the Volunteers after a road battle that never really let either side get comfortable. The victory pushed Tennessee to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in SEC play, while Arkansas slipped to 2-4 and 0-3 in conference action, leaving the Razorbacks searching for answers after another tough league loss.
The football itself had plenty to discuss, but one camera shot from the afternoon quickly took on a life of its own and became part of the conversation around the game. For Tennessee, the bigger takeaway is that a hard-fought road win can travel well in October, especially in a league where every possession seems to matter and where the Volunteers are still trying to sort out who they are as the season moves deeper into SEC play. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Alabama Just Got Even Bigger In Knoxville
The buildup around Tennessees showdown with Alabama just picked up another layer, with SEC Nation set to spend Saturday morning in Knoxville before the Vols and Crimson Tide kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The pregame show will air from 9 a.m. to noon on SEC Network, giving the campus a full-day spotlight ahead of one of the seasons biggest SEC matchups.
The setting should feel as big as the stakes, with Neyland Stadium already sold out and fans expected to pour in early for a rare chance to make a long Saturday of it. Tennessee is also sweetening the game-day experience with half-price concessions for the first hour after gates open, which figures to help fuel the kind of atmosphere the Vols hope to ride once the broadcast lights move from campus to the stadium. [Read more 🡒]
Tennessee Alabama Weekend Just Got Even Bigger On Rocky Top
The buildup to Tennessees matchup with Alabama is getting an extra dose of spotlight, with SEC Network bringing its SEC Nation pregame show to campus ahead of the game. The broadcast will originate outside Ayers Hall and include the SEC Nation crew along with additional ESPN personalities, giving Rocky Top an added stage in a week already carrying plenty of SEC weight.
The campus presence does not stop there, either, with the network making the rivalry weekend feel even bigger around Knoxville. The Volunteers and Crimson Tide will also both take the field in their home uniforms under a two-year agreement, setting up a look the series has not seen since 1970 and adding another layer to one of the leagues marquee games. [Read more 🡒]