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

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel coaching during the second half against the Akron Zips at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 8, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up prior to a game against Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Bryce Young (9) warms up prior to a game against Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Availability of each team’s players

Obviously, a huge key to this game will be who can go. Let’s start with Tennessee football. Cedric Tillman has been hurt since an ankle injury in the first half of the Vols’ third game of the season against the Akron Zips. He missed their wins over Florida and LSU and reportedly had surgery.

Also, Jaylen McCollough was arrested last weekend, leaving questions about the status of the Vols in a secondary that is already without its starting cornerback in Warren Burrell. Without McCollough, UT won’t have a veteran safety either, and that could also prove disastrous.

What could make that more disastrous is if Alabama is healthy at quarterback. Bryce Young got hurt against the Arkansas Razorbacks, and Jalen Milroe played in last week. They struggled to beat Texas A&M last week with Milroe, so Young’s health is now a huge issue, and there are a ton of questions about whether or not he’ll play.

A healthy Young and no McCollough will be devastating for the Vols’ pass defense. However, a hurt Young will give Rocky Top a huge advantage. On the other side, Tillman is a clutch receiver and a gamer, so this is the type of game they need him for. Simply put, the health and availability of these players will play a role in the outcome here.

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