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Five reasons Tennessee football will shock Alabama if healthy

By Caleb Calhoun

Tennessee leaves the locker room before a game Tennessee and Missouri at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Kns Tennessee Missouri Football
Tennessee leaves the locker room before a game Tennessee and Missouri at Faurot Field in Columbia, Mo. on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2021.Kns Tennessee Missouri Football /
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Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass for a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 2, 2021; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) throws a pass for a touchdown against the Mississippi Rebels during the first half of an NCAA college football game at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Vols’ pass rush can be elite against an immobile quarterback.

Lots of talk is out there, rightfully so, about the pressure Alabama will put on Tennessee football Saturday. It makes sense. The Vols are one of the worst teams at avoiding sacks, as they have allowed 11 over the past two weeks alone. Part of that has to do with a banged up line, and this post is hedging a bit by saying the upset will come if healthy.

On the other hand, part of it has to do with Hendon Hooker holding onto the ball and trying to extend plays. As a result, it’s fair to assume that a team like Alabama will be in Hooker’s face all day and racking up sacks at a record pace.

What about the other side, though? Last week, the Vols sacked Ole Miss as many times as Ole Miss sacked them, five times. They had four the week before against the South Carolina Gamecocks. Beyond just the sacks, their pressure forced Matt Corral to have his worst passing performance of the year, including throwing his first interception on the season.

The Vols only lost because Corral torched them on the ground for 195 yards. However, Bryce Young is not mobile like Corral. He is a pure drop-back passer. As a result, if UT’s pass rush remains as elite in this game, Young is in trouble.

Kenny Pickett did torch the Vols with the Pittsburgh Panthers, and he’s a drop-back passer. However, the Vols have improved dramatically up front since then. There’s no reason to believe they won’t get pressure again Saturday.

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