Tennessee football at Alabama Crimson Tide: 10 keys to the game
![Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) and Alabama linebacker Jaylen Moody (42) celebrate after Anderson made a tackle for a loss during Alabama’s game with Texas A&M Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Bryant-Denny Stadium. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Vs Texas A M](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_1080,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape%2Fcover%2Fsport%2F380b611734be37e88803f9fdd5e9165fb75544a03e8960be91f3c21c4730d301.jpg "Alabama linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) and Alabama linebacker Jaylen Moody (42) celebrate after Anderson made a tackle for a loss during Alabama’s game with Texas A&M Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020, in Bryant-Denny Stadium. [Staff Photo/Gary Cosby Jr.]Alabama Vs Texas A M")
2. How many sacks can Alabama get on the day?
To be fair, Tennessee football may not be bad at sacking Alabama. The Tide are No. 76 in sacks allowed, giving up just over two and a quarter a game, and the Vols have been pretty decent at rushing the passer. They are tied for No. 29 in the nation by averaging just under two and three quarters of a sack a game.
One of those teams tied with UT in terms of sacks generated, though, is Alabama. Meanwhile, the Vols are horrendous at protecting the quarterback. They are ranked No. 119 on that front, allowing over three and a half sacks a game.
It’s gotten worse too, as over the last two weeks, they allowed six sacks to South Carolina and then five to Ole Miss. Sacks is why they had a 4th and 24 to begin with last week when Hendon Hooker found Jacob Warren for that one-yard short spot that made fans so angry.
A lot of this has to do with the health of the line, and it also has to do with the way Hooker extends plays. However, it’s a major issue against a team like Alabama. The Vols can’t afford too many negative plays, and if they fall victim to that Saturday, the Tide will never be threatened.