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Tennessee football vs. Alabama: 10 keys for Vols and Crimson Tide

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide shake hands after the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 20: Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers and head coach Nick Saban of the Alabama Crimson Tide shake hands after the second half of the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Alabama won 58-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Oct 17, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports
Oct 17, 2020; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama defensive back Patrick Surtain II (2) breaks up a pass intended for Georgia wide receiver George Pickens (1) during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr/The Tuscaloosa News via USA TODAY Sports /

8. Alabama’s ability to not allow big plays in passing game

When teams have scored on the Alabama Crimson Tide, it has been a mix of ball control and big plays. Tennessee football will obviously try to do both. However, those big plays in the passing game have been a huge deal for Nick Saban’s defense, and getting just a couple of them a game can change everything.

The Georgia Bulldogs had an 82-yard touchdown pass. While the Ole Miss Rebels had balance, they had 68-yard touchdown pass and completions of 52 and 46 yards on other scoring drives. Even the Texas A&M Aggies had a 47-yard touchdown pass and a 43-yard completion on another touchdown drive. A 54-yard completion occurred on the Missouri Tigers’ only touchdown drive.

See how this works? Alabama is prone to give up big plays. The Vols, meanwhile, actually have the horses for big plays in the passing game if they use them Josh Palmer has three touchdown receptions on the year from Jarrett Guarantano, and they have all been receptions of over 25 yards. He’s a legitimate deep threat, and Jim Chaney will want to use him.

Although UT will want to use its solid rushing attack for balance, which is exactly what Lane Kiffin did, a couple of big passing plays could change everything as well. For all their faults, Guarantano, J.T. Shrout and even Harrison Bailey have big arms. With these receivers, Jeremy Pruitt has the personnel to exploit this Bama weakness. Saban can’t allow that to happen.

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