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Tennessee football at Alabama Crimson Tide: 10 keys to the game

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 16, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 16, 2017; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; A general view of Bryant-Denny Stadium during the game between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Colorado State Rams. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (10) against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 18, 2021; Gainesville, Florida, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Henry To’oTo’o (10) against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

9. Familiarity with transfers on each team

There’s a key defender on each team who has stood out in recent weeks and transferred from the other team. Most notable among the two is Henry To’o To’o. Alabama’s leading tackler spent the past two years starting for Tennessee football and was the most notable player to wreck the Vols by entering the transfer portal.

To’o To’o was always a reliable playmaker and the perfect fit for the 3-4 scheme that Jeremy Pruitt rans and Nick Saban still runs. His transfer made sense, but with the Vols also losing Quavaris Crouch and J.J. Peterson, and with Juwan Mitchell going down for the year, it has hurt.

On the other side, Brandon Turnage transferred from Bama to Rocky Top. Turnage was backing up Theo Jackson, but an injury to Jackson resulted in Turnage getting the start at nickel two Saturdays ago. All he did was earn SEC Defensive Player of the Week with his efforts.

Obviously, each player’s familiarity with his former team’s tendencies could be helpful. To’o To’o is the more regular player, but Turnage is the only one whose former team has the same system. That could come into play in this game more than you think, so pay attention to what transpires.

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