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By B.J. Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com Senior Editor
SouthernPigskin.com senior editor B.J. Bennett previews the SouthernPigskin.com Game of the Week between Alabama and Tennessee. Follow us on Twitter at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.
Game of the Week - Tennessee at Alabama
Why to Watch: It's the third Saturday in October, if you don't watch you should have your man card revoked. Smashmouth football fans, this is about as good as it gets. Two physical football teams with the league's second and third ranked total defenses respectively. Two of the top defensive players in all of college football in Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain and Tennessee safety Eric Berry. In terms of history and lore, this is about as good as it gets. Two traditional powers and college football pillars playing in a stadium with "Bryant" in the title. Need we say more?
Overview: This has all the makings of an old-school SEC slugfest. Alabama, behind Heisman Trophy contender, perhaps frontrunner, Mark Ingram is averaging over 229 yards rushing per game. Tennessee is averaging nearly 200 yars rushing per game and close to five yards per carry as well. Both teams have been average throwing the football to date, the Crimson Tide in part because they haven't had to be much better. Watch the defensive coordinators here. Alabama's Kirby Smart is one of the hottest young coaches in college football. The grizzled veteran Monte Kiffin for the Volunteers has seen it all. Alabama has obvious national championship implications on the line.
Keys for Alabama
1. Attack the Line of Scrimmage - Tennessee has an offense that has struggled with its efficiency, consistency and confidence all season long. The Volunteers did put up 45 points in their last game, Georgia at home, however, so the Crimson Tide must set the tone early. Utilizing various blitz schemes and bump-and-run coverage at times on the perimeter, Alabama needs to force Tennessee out of the power run game and into looking downfield. This defense must dare UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton to beat them over the top. The senior signal caller is coming off of his best performance of the year, but has thrown a league-high nine interceptions this season and is completing just 58% of his passes. The Vols will want to run the football to take the home crowd out of the game, get their offensive line into a physical routine early and set up the play-action pass for later in the game. They will also look to run early and often because, quite frankly, Montario Hardesty has been very good this season. He is averaging 5.4 yards per carry on the year. Rolando McClain, Terrence Cody and company cannot allow UT to move the chains running the football. Shut down the run, pressure Crompton and see if this offense can adjust. Success on first and second down will be crucial as this Vol offense is not built to overcome third down and long.
2. Get McElroy Involved Early - You have to assume Mark Ingram is going to get his. The sophomore tailback is on an absolute tear and may be the top Heisman candidate at this point in the season. Junior quarterback Greg McElroy has struggled the last two games and Alabama will need big plays from him to move the football against a fierce Tennessee defense. With his confidence perhaps shaky, simple routes and check downs need to be designed and utilized early to get McElroy back in rythym. Football is a game of momentum and confidence, especially at the quarterback position. If McElroy can get off to a good start, he will build the confidence needed to make key throws later in the game. He is a very talented player and has performed well for much of this season. Simple hitch routes, flat passes and slip screens can help him get back in the groove.
3. Better Efficiency in the Redzone - This may come as a surprise, but Alabama ranks just 10th in the SEC in touchdown percentage inside the redzone. The Crimson Tide score six just 44% of the time they are inside the 20-yard line and that must change. Kicker Leigh Tiffin has been automatic as the Tide lead the SEC in field goals by a large margin. Tennessee ranks third in the SEC in touchdowns allowed in the redzone as has they have given up the big play just 33% of the time. Because of how stingy Alabama's defense is, scoring touchdowns will absolutely vital in this game. If the Crimson Tide can put points up on the board, it will force Tennessee into major gameplan adjustments they are not comfortable with. Lake Kiffin wants a low-scoring, slow-paced game. Better efficiency in the redzone can force the Vols' hand. Where has Julio Jones been in the redzone to date?
Keys for Tennessee
1. Win the Turnover Battle - Anytime a heavy underdog goes on the road, this has to be priority number one. Nothing swings momentum like a turnover and if you make mistakes against the top-ranked team in college football on their home field, it's not going to be a good afternoon. This is especially true against the Crimson Tide as they lead the SEC in turnovers gained. They have intercepted a league-high ten passes. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton must make smart decisions, even at the risk of being passive with his decision-making. And the running backs must be true to their fundamentals when running through traffic. Safety Eric Berry is bound to make a big play or two in this game and, when he does, UT must capitalize. Smart, efficient play will be absolutely crucial as the Volunteers push for the upset bid.
2. Pressure McElroy - This plays into the first key, but if the front seven can get after the Alabama quarterback, Tennessee has the athletes in the secondary to make big plays. McElroy's confidence is low right now and he is coming off a bad game against South Carolina. Don't give him time to settle in. Monte Kiffin will need to bring blitzes from all over the field in an attempt to fluster the junior signal caller. For a quarterback who has played poorly in his last few games, a tough start can compound a lot of problems. UT must be the aggressor defensively, especially in relation to McElroy. Tennessee is good enough in the secondary to blitz and leave their defensive backs alone downfield. The Vols have just ten sacks this season; they will need to be more consistent with their pass rush if they are going to have any chance against the Crimson Tide. Slowing down McElroy might be UT's best chance at slowing down running back Mark Ingram. By making 'Bama one-dimensional, the Vols will have a better chance at defensive success.
3. Big Plays on Special Teams - Don't forget about special teams, an area where the Crimson Tide thrive. Alabama boasts one of the best return men in college football in Javier Arenas. Tennessee has the worst-ranked kickoff coverage team in the SEC and has allowed two touchdown returns already. Allowing a big return could prove to be a back-breaker for a team fighting to stay in the game on the road. Simply put, the coverage just has to be better. Returns for touchdown aside, if UT allows Alabama to start off all of their drives with good field position, they will not slow this offense down. With points likely being at a premium, field position will be vital. Punter Chad Cunningham needs to have the best game of his season, lifting the ball high in the air to limit Arenas' chances via the return. Volunteer kicker Daniel Lincoln has been just 6 of 10 on field goals this season and he will need to play better. When you get opportunities to put points up on the board against a defense like Alabama's, you have to make the most of them. If one of the freshman return men could get loose for UT, if would help their offense immensly as few people move the football the length of the field against the Crimson Tide.
Position Advantages
Quarterback; Alabama - Though Greg McElroy is currently struggling, he has been very good over the length of the season and has shown the ability to make big plays downfield. Jonathan Crompton finally has some momentum, can he carry over his performance from the Georgia game to the Crimson Tide?
Running back; Alabama - For as good as Montario Hardesty has been, Alabama's Mark Ingram is one of the best running backs in college football. He leads the SEC and ranks fourth nationally with 129 yards per game. He has gotten most of the yardage after the first hit. Both of these teams have good running back depth, the Crimson Tide especially.
Wide receiver; Alabama - Though his numbers have slipped, you still have to respect Julio Jones on the perimeter. Marquis Maze has stepped up this season, averaging 18.6 yards per catch. Georgia Tech-transfer Colin Peek at tight end is having a huge year. Gerald Jones is a proven playmaker for the Volunteers.
Offensive line; Even - Both units are very good. The Volunteers have given up just six sacks this season, compared to eight for the Crimson Tide. The Alabama front five has paved the way for a rushing attack averaging 5.4 yards per carry.
Defensive line; Alabama - With big Terrence Cody anchoring the Crimson Tide front three, this really isn't a contest. The All-American nose tackle leads the nation's third-ranked rush defense. Opponents are earning just 65 yards per game on the ground against Alabama.
Linebacker; Alabama - Rolando McClain might be the premier linebacker in all of college football. He has 49 tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss on the season and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. LaMarcus Thompson is an emering playmaker for UT.
Secondary; Tennessee - Any unit that has all-everything safety Eric Berry gets the nod. Arguably one of the top defensive backs in SEC history, the junior has the ability to change the game from his defensive backfield spot. UT has allowed less than 1,000 yards passing and just three passing touchdowns this year. Javier Arenas is an All-SEC cornerback for the Crimson Tide.
Special Teams; Alabama - This is a big edge for the Crimson Tide, who boast one of the league's best kickers in Leigh Tiffin and return men in Javier Arenas. Punter P.J. Fitzgerald has been good this year too. Tiffin is a savvy veteran who has made a number of big kicks before.
Coaching; Alabama - Nick Saban, who went undefeated during the regular season last year, has the Crimson Tide primed for another late season title run. Lane Kiffin has made more news off the field than on it this season. Watch the defensive coordinators in this game.
Intangibles; Tennessee - Yes the Volunteers are heavy underdogs, yes they are on the road. But they found something in their last game versus UGA and the fact that everyone is picking Alabama and picking the Crimson Tide big may give them some extra motivation. Nobody thinks UT can win this game and, when you are dealing with 18-22 year old kids, that can mean something. Alabama, who is in the national title race, has the pressure. UT has nothing to lose.
Players to Watch
Alabama; Mark Ingram, RB - It has to be Ingram, who ran right through a fierce South Carolina defense last week for over 220 yards. He is the offensive catalyst for the Crimson Tide and a Heisman Trophy candidate. If he can get going, it will open up the passing game for quarterback Greg McElroy.
Tennessee; Eric Berry, S - We really couldn't pick anyone else. The All-American safety will have to have a big afternoon in run support as he looks to slow down Mark Ingram and the Alabama running game. Big plays from Berry could help Tennessee stay in this football game.
Predictions
Rodney Atkins, Country Music Star - Alabama
B.J. Bennett, Senior Editor - Alabama
J.T. Bennett, Staff Writer - Alabama
Charlie K., National Columnist - Alabama
Kevin Thomas, Staff Writer - Alabama
Brian Turner, Columnist - Alabama
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