Tennessee football: Five key Vols to watch for at Alabama
1. 839. Scouting Report. Matthew Butler. Senior. player. Pick Analysis. Defensive lineman
6’4″ 295 pounds
We started this post saying that one of Alabama’s weaknesses is giving up too many sacks. They allow just over two and a quarter sacks a game, tied for the LSU Tigers and South Carolina for 10th in the SEC and No. 76 overall in terms of limiting those plays. Against Texas A&M, the Tide allowed four sacks. There’s a reason that was their only loss.
Although Tennessee football has its own issues at protecting the quarterback, the Vols can get to the quarterback reasonably well. A huge reason for that is the push their defensive line has been getting up front, and the most important player in that regard is Matthew Butler.
As a result, if the Vols are going to get any pressure on Alabama at all, which is how they can force sacks and interceptions, the two keys to being in this game, it will come down to Butler. Last week, Butler himself had two sacks and was in Matt Corral’s face all night.
Next. Vols' grades in 31-26 loss to Ole Miss. dark
For the year, Butler has five tackles for a loss, three sacks, a forced fumble and 17 sacks, eight of which have been solo. However, what stands out is not the plays he makes but the push he gets. He’s clearly Tennessee football’s best defensive lineman, and his experience in the middle and on the outside is a huge deal. UT will need that Saturday. Everything starts with him.