Coming off a critical home SEC matchup against Texas A&M, Tennessee heads to Tuscaloosa to face rival Alabama on the Third Saturday of October.
For the first time in a decade and a half, Tennessee enters the rivalry game having won the most recent matchup in the series. The Vols head to Tuscaloosa looking for their second win over Nick Saban at Alabama and their first win in Tuscaloosa since the legendary five overtime win in 2003.
There are question marks around Alabama entering the season which is rare for a Nick Saban team. Still, the Crimson Tide are one of the most talented teams in the country and will be one of the hardest games on Tennessee’s schedule.
While Tennessee faces Alabama two weeks after its open date, the Crimson Tide enter the matchup coming off four straight SEC games and the week before their open date. Alabama faces Texas A&M two weeks before and Arkansas a week before facing Tennessee.
Georgia has taken over the top spot in college football. Alabama is trying to get it back this season.
Let’s take a look at the Crimson Tide heading into a significant 2023 season.
How They Fared In 2022
A 11-2 season including a New Years Six bowl win was Tennessee’s best season in over two decades. It was a major let down for Saban and the Crimson Tide.
Alabama entered the 2022 season with people thinking they could be the greatest college team of all time. Bryce Young was the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and Will Anderson was the top returning defender in the sport. But those aspirations were quickly dashed.
The Crimson Tide won tight games against Texas and Texas A&M before Tennessee handed them their first loss in mid-October. Alabama remained in the College Football Playoff hunt before losing to LSU in overtime in Baton Rouge the first week of November.
Alabama earned a tight win against Ole Miss the following week and then won four straight to down the stretch including a blowout Sugar Bowl win over Kansas State.
The Crimson Tide entered the 2023 season with questions at quarterback but a loaded roster otherwise. Let’s dive into it.
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2023 Offensive Outlook
The big question for Alabama’s offense revolves around the quarterback spot. Back for the Crimson Tide is Young’s backup Jalen Milroe and former five-star (and Martin, Tennessee native) Ty Simpson. Alabama also dipped into the transfer portal to land Notre Dame quarterback Tyler Buchner after spring practice.
That brings us to the second big change of Alabama’s offseason. Offensive coordinator Bill O’Brian left Tuscaloosa to return to the NFL (Patriots OC) and Saban turned to Notre Dame offensive coordinator Tommy Reese.
With Reese coming from Notre Dame and the Tide poaching Buchner months later, he seemed like the favorite to win the starting job. However, former Alabama quarterback and ESPN personality Greg McElroy says Alabama’s quarterback competition is down to Milroe and Sampson.
While Reese might not bring a new starting quarterback to Tuscaloosa, he’s bringing a new offensive style. The Crimson Tide are expecting to return to an ole Nick Saban offense with a powerful and dominant running game.
Jahmyr Gibbs is off to the NFL but Jase McClellan is stepping into the lead running back role after rushing for 655 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Senior Roydell Williams, sophomore Jam Miller and five-star freshman Justice Haynes will also compete for carries in the running back rotation.
Milroe is a strong running quarterback which will be interesting to watch if he wins the quarterback job. They’ll run behind what’s expected to be a strong offensive line again this season.
Besides quarterback, Alabama’s biggest question is at receiver where they were average a season ago. Jermaine Burton (677 yards) and Ja’Corey Brooks (674 yards) were the Crimson Tide’s leading receivers last season and are back and looking to take another step forward. Sophomore Isaiah Bond is looking to step into a bigger role after totaling 220 yards as a freshman.
2023 Defensive Outlook
Where Alabama’s talent will especially standout is on the defensive side of the ball. There’s been no drop off in Alabama’s recruiting on that side and despite losing Will Anderson and Byron Young to the NFL they should be stout again.
Justin Eboigbe and Tim Smith are proven veterans on the interior of the defensive line while edge rusher Dallas Turner is the most productive returning defender. Turner totaled 37 tackles and four sacks last season and is one of the SEC’s top pass rushers.
Old friend Henry To’o To’o is off to the NFL but sophomore Deontae Lawson is one of the best young players in the conference, totaling 51 tackles as a freshman last season. Lawson will likely start at inside linebacker alongside Georgia transfer Trezman Marshall who totaled 19 tackles as a redshirt sophomore last season in Athens.
Alabama’s secondary should be the strength of its defense. Kool-Aid McKinstry and Terrion Arnold are returning starters at cornerback after combining for two interceptions and 23 pass breakups last season. Malachi Moore is returning at STAR after totaling 31 tackles last season.
While cornerback is solidified there’s questions about who will start at safety. Alabama added UAB safety Jaylen Key out of the transfer portal and he could start as could true freshman Caleb Downs, senior Kristian Story (five tackles in 2022) and junior DeVonta Smith (not that DeVonta Smith).
Alabama has to replace some key players but has an abundance of talent on the defensive side of the ball.
Prediction
Alabama is a hard team to figure out to open the season. They have a chip on their shoulder after last year and enough overall talent to win another National Championship. However, the questions at quarterback and receiver are fair and at least somewhat concerning.
Tennessee gets Alabama at a solid spot on the schedule but going to Tuscaloosa and earning a second straight win over Nick Saban and the Tide is too much for me to predict.
Alabama wins a competitive game.
Alabama 30, Tennessee 24
