No. 6 Tennessee hosts No. 3 Alabama to Neyland Stadium for a highly anticipated Third Saturday in October. The Vols and Crimson Tide are both unbeaten entering the rivalry matchup for the first time since 1989.
Each week, Rocky Top Insider will take you behind the scenes with a question and answer with a media member who covers Tennessee’s opponent.
This week, The Tuscaloosa News’ Alabama football beat writer Nick Kelly discussed Bryce Young’s status, Alabama’s dynamic pass rush and more.
Note: Some answers have been shortened and altered for clarity
What were the expectations for Alabama entering this season and how have they lived up to them at this point?
The expectations have been National Championship because you have Bryce Young and Will Anderson who are widely seen as two of the best players in the country. Arguably the best on each side of the ball coming into the year. I think overall, to an extent that has been met— the expectations that this a National Championship contender. But really we’re in the midst of figuring out if this team is or isn’t a National Championship contender. The stretch that they’re in where they start with Arkansas, then Texas A&M and now Tennessee and then Mississippi State. I think when the open date arrives we’ll have a better sense of how they’re meeting the expectations.
For the most part, the first half of the season hasn’t presented a lot of tough tests for Alabama. Texas went towards the end but that was the second game of the season. There’s going to be some struggles on the road. Alabama has had them in the past but otherwise it’s teams like Utah State, Vanderbilt, ULM— schools that necessarily aren’t big tests for Alabama. I think we’re in the midst of figuring it out since Bryce (Young) has been out from the second half of the Arkansas game and the Texas A&M game, it’s almost how much can we measure this or not measure this. There’s still a lot to learn so it’s incomplete on whether Alabama has matched those expectations.
What do you know about Bryce Young’s status for the game here on Tuesday afternoon?
Things seemed to be trending in a good direction last week, just the way he was talked about, overall. They keep things close to the vest, but it’s not like it’s something he’s had happen before. Saban talked about how it’s not long term, not serious, but he wasn’t able to go last week against A&M so it’s something to monitor. Bryce apparently wanted to go in the game late against A&M— he told Saban that. They didn’t let him but that fact alone is encouraging that he could be back but, again, a shoulder injury you never know. It’s his throwing arm so he has to see how that goes for him. We’re seeing how that progresses through the week and Saban talked about having it reevaluated yesterday afternoon and seeing how it goes from there. I anticipate it being another game time decision. You just don’t know and it’s something to monitor through the week.
There’s a perception that Alabama’s offense has struggled this season going back to the Texas game. Is that fair? What has kept Alabama’s offense from reaching its peak?
I think struggle is a relative term for Alabama. They do not have the passing they did last year. Which most teams don’t. It’s not the same as last year through the air, but the ground game is better. They were solid last year. Brian Robinson Jr. was good but Jahmyr Gibbs is electric. He’s a game changer. Alabama has the third overall rushing attack in the country right now so it’s a different Alabama offense. Even when Bryce was healthy there was some ups-and-downs, some questions at receiver. There’s been no clear “this is the guy” at receiver. There’s no Jameson Williams right now. As time progresses we might see guys emerge. One guy to watch, and we’re waiting to see when he can come back healthy is Tyler Harrell. Louisville transfer at receiver who’s been dealing with an injury for a while. He’s warmed up the last few games— we haven’t seen him play yet but he has some scary speed. It’s going to be something to follow but it’s definitely not the same passing offense that it was a year ago
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What is the biggest strength and weakness of Alabama’s defense?
Strength is outside linebacker. They have three guys who are some of the best in the country at rushing the passer. It’s a ridiculous group and they get all three on the field at times too. They gave Texas A&M quarterback Haynes King so many nightmares in that game. He was running for his life most the time. That’s the biggest strength.
Weakness is maybe some of their pass coverage. Overall, this defense is probably one of the better ones that Alabama’s had in a bit. I don’t think there’s a major glaring weakness that stands out other then them not covering the A&M receivers as well down the stretch in that game. But this Alabama defense is legit and that’s helped this offense which has stumbled at time. I’m really intrigued to see this matchup between Tennessee’s offense and Alabama’s defense because you have two of the top units in the country going against each other. We’ll see who comes out on top.
What’s a matchup you feel like Alabama has an advantage against Tennessee?
If Alabama’s offense is going to succeed it’s going to have to pass or it should pass because that seems from the outside looking in to be a weakness for Tennessee. The run defense for Tennessee is really good. I’m not saying Alabama shouldn’t run but I think there’s certainly opportunity even if Bryce isn’t full go or even if it’s Jalen Milroe. They have to be able to attack that Tennessee secondary because I think there’s more opportunity for success there than there will be on the ground. If Bryce can play I think there’s something to exploit there in the Tennessee secondary but if there’s not then I still think they have to go at it.
What’s a matchup you feel like Tennessee has an advantage against Alabama?
Hendon Hooker’s looked fantastic. I don’t know if they have an advantage but I think he has a chance to score some points. I don’t know if that’s an advantage but I think it could be a problem for Alabama. Even the receivers Tennessee has have looked really sharp.
Final score?
Bryce Young play: Alabama 38, Tennessee 31
Bryce Young doesn’t play: Tennessee 38, Alabama 20
One Response
I don’t think Alabama will win due to the fact Alabama has struggled against unranked opponents here lately and Bryce Young will not be at 100% with a rotary cup injury. Tennessee is more battle tested than Alabama at this point of the season by facing more top 25 opponents mostly on the road than Alabama. Tennessee’s defense is going to be a big surprise in this game. I feel that Alabama is walking into an ambush in this game which is unlike any game that they have played thus far.