Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe believes that falling back on his training and preparation is the best way to counter Tennessee’s crowd noise this Saturday in Knoxville.
Milroe didn’t criticize or disrespect the environment of Neyland Stadium while talking to the local media in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. In fact, he’s seen it firsthand.
As Bryce Young’s backup during the 2022 season, the then-redshirt freshman quarterback had his first taste of the Neyland Stadium atmosphere in what could possibly be described as the biggest and loudest crowd in Tennessee history. Tennessee would go on to defeat Alabama, 52-49, in a historic game (and celebration) from Neyland Stadium.
Milroe has faced challenging road games before including an Iron Bowl in Auburn and a primetime game against Texas A&M, but Tennessee certainly presents its own challenges as the Vols call for an orange-out from the fans.
While speaking to the media on Tuesday, Milroe explained how the “preparation aspect” is the best way to counter, or prepare, for a rowdy crowd.
“What I remember about Knoxville is that communication, number one when it comes to being effective in the game,” Milroe said. “Controlling your controllables is definitely important when it comes to staying ahead of the sticks. And also just controlling the game through your preparation. I think that’s so important because although it’s going to a lot of, it’s going to be hectic, you know, as far as the crowd. They want to be involved in the game. It’s all about the preparation aspect of it so that you just reflect on your level of training and not rise to the occasion. So I think that’s going to be important for us to move forward throughout the whole game through our preparation and how we just key in through our reads, key in through our communication, and then also just taking feedback from our coaches throughout the game.”
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Alabama (5-1, 2-1 SEC) has played two road games and four home games so far this season with the road games at Wisconsin and Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide rolled the Badgers, 42-10, but were stifled against the Commodores by a score of 40-35 on Oct. 5.
Interestingly, though, Milroe has a slightly higher completion percentage on the road (73.2 percent) compared to at home (72.5 percent). Milroe also has a slightly higher YPC on the road, a slightly better TD-INT ratio on the road, and a good bit higher of a passer rating on the road.
While Alabama did lose to Vanderbilt in Nashville earlier in the season, it was the Crimson Tide’s defense allowing 40 points to the Commodores that was the surprising part. Alabama didn’t score enough with 35 points to get the win but Milroe did have 75 percent passing for 310 yards, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, and one interception.
No. 11 Tennessee will host No. 7 Alabama at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday afternoon in Neyland Stadium. Stay tuned to Rocky Top Insider for live, on-site coverage of the game.
Check out Milroe’s full Tuesday press conference below:
