One of the biggest rivalries in the Southeastern Conference, as well as the nation, will resume on Saturday afternoon as the Tennessee Volunteers travel to Tuscaloosa to face the AP No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide.
Casual observers will look at this game and quickly determine that Tennessee has no chance whatsoever to defeat Alabama. While this may very well be the case, Tennessee actually looks better on paper…than they look on the field.
The Tennessee Volunteers enter the contest with Alabama with a record of 3-3 on the season. Most people who have witnessed a Tennessee game on television or in person will tell you the Vols are nothing short of horrible. Excluding the “wake up” performance against the Georgia Bulldogs, the Vols have shown little to nothing in terms or productivity and efficiency in 2009. However, the stats prove otherwise.
As I was looking through SEC statistics I discovered the Tennessee offense is ranked fifth in the conference, and the defense is ranked third. The Vols are also ranked third in rush defense. Do those numbers sound like a 3-3 team? If you’re an Alabama coach, player, or fan, this game needs to be based upon the potential of Tennessee…not the record. Is Tennessee a bad team or have they simply played bad at critical times?
One could easily say I’m trying to defend a horrible team, but the idea of never taking a team for granted can only favor Alabama. Focus is the key for every game, but it’s even more important when you’re the heavily favored team.
Tennessee has several players Alabama will need to shut down if the Crimson Tide wish to defeat or dominate the Vols. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton has been called by some…the worst quarterback in the nation. True or not, applying pressure on any quarterback is vital for the defense. Crompton has thrown nine interceptions this season so Alabama will certainly force Crompton to think on his feet, and force him to leave the pocket.
In the backfield the Vols are led by Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown. While Hardesty leads the team in rushing, many fans around the SEC compare Bryce Brown to Trent Richardson of Alabama. The Crimson Tide are suffocating against the run, and ‘Bama will need to eliminate offensive production from the Tennessee running game, and force Crompton to pass. Third and long situations will play right into the hands of the Alabama defense.
Finally, Tennessee “all world” playmaker Eric Berry will lead the Volunteer defense. Berry will play any defensive position on the field, or so it seems. The young man is certainly a gifted athlete and one of best players in the conference, and the nation. Berry can make tackles in the open field and is very smart. Look for Berry to even take a few snaps on the offensive side of the ball just to add some wrinkles to the maligned Volunteer offense. Berry is a spectacular player, and the Crimson Tide must limit his production…if at all possible.
When I talk about Alabama should I just copy and paste from old material? Something about giving the ball to Ingram sounds strangely familiar? The run will help the Crimson Tide establish the pass, and you know the rest. The Alabama offense is not very complex but it can be very efficient as the game progresses. If ‘Bama quarterback Greg McElroy can re-establish himself in the passing game the Tide offense can be very effective on the ground and in the air. The formula is rather simplistic, but proper execution without penalties will once again be a key to success.
The Crimson Tide offense must also find a way to conquer the “red zone demons” which have plagued ‘Bama for a couple of games. Winning the time of possession battle and turning field goals into touchdowns will be imperative if the Crimson Tide want a complete performance on the offensive side of the ball.
This game is indeed an impassioned and even reviled rivalry that goes beyond the playing field. However, the football teams will play the game, and many times that simple fact can get lost in a frenzied rivalry contest. Fans can scream, yell, and taunt…but they can’t play.
Alabama is a dominate football team, and Tennessee is certainly in a transition period. No “emotional rivalry” aspect can replace the fact that Tennessee is most likely...a mediocre team at best.
Alabama will win this game using the same physical toughness and ground attack the Crimson Tide has used all season. The “fan” aspect of this contest certainly adds an extra element to the game, and the rivalry, but when you compare the teams…Alabama is simply superior to Tennessee.
In 2008 Alabama defeated Tennessee 29-9 in Knoxville. I would expect the margin of victory will be similar, but I also think you can add a touchdown or field goal to the Alabama point total for simply having the home field advantage.
The game is in Tuscaloosa this season, but the outcome will resemble the 2008 contest. The only difference is…Tennessee fans will have a further drive to the house!
Prediction: Alabama 32 Tennessee 9
Tennessee/Alabama will be televised on CBS with kickoff expected around 2:35 p.m. central time.
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