Two SEC unbeatens – and long-time rivals – face off in Knoxville on Saturday as the No. 3 Alabama Crimson Tide (6-0) travels to take on the 5-0 Tennessee Vols in the biggest matchup between the schools in decades.
By Steve Wright
Follow @14powerscom
Here are the three keys to a Bama win:
Is Bryce Young Going To Play?
The third Saturday in October hasn’t been this important this century. Even at full strength, Alabama will have major issues with this Tennessee squad. That is why the status of current Heisman Trophy holder Byrce Young is so important. Young has an injured shoulder, one that needed some time to heal, and while there is no way he is 100 percent if he is even close to ready to play, you know that Nick Saban is going to have him give this game a shot. Young changes the entire way that this offense plays. Jalen Milroe shone in spots against Texas A&M, but he had turnovers that cannot happen against a Tennessee offense that will make every mistake hurt. Young has to play.
The Running Game Is Everything
This might sound counterintuitive to the first key, but Alabama’s rushing attack will be a key to this game regardless of whether Young plays. The Crimson Tide has quietly established the No.2 rushing attack in the country, with their 257.5 yards per game trailing only the gimmick offense of Air Force which is over 300 an outing. The run has been even better of late, with ‘Bama rolling for 277.7 yards per game in its past three. The running game will not only take the pressure – and the hits – off of Young, but it will also allow Alabama to control the tempo and – specifically – shorten the game by keeping the Tennessee offense off the field. If ‘Bama goes for over 250, they win.
Contain Hendon Hooker
Note that this says to contain Hendon Hooker and not stop him. The Vols quarterback might be the best overall player in the country through Week 7, and he has passed for over 1,400 yards with ten touchdowns and zero picks. Hooker makes very few mistakes – his QBR of 90.4 is No. 3 in the country – and he is also a threat on the ground when he needs to be (he had 112 yards rushing against Florida). Hooker has talented receivers to work with, and the cornerback position is the ‘ Bama defense’s weakest part. Getting pressure from the front seven is imperative, as is pouncing on any mistake Hooker makes because they will be few and far between.
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