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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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Tennessee offensive lineman Gerald Mincey (54) before Tennessee’s football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football
Tennessee offensive lineman Gerald Mincey (54) before Tennessee’s football game against Florida in Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022.Kns Ut Florida Football /

2. Vols’ pass protection

Here comes the crucial part of the game. Alabama is No. 15 in the nation in sacks per game with three, and they have arguably the greatest linebacker of all time in Will Anderson Jr., so they can wreak havoc on Tennessee football. The Vols, for all of their strengths, still have some issues with pass protection that were exposed recently.

UT is top 50 in fewest sacks allowed per game, as they have only given up eight on the year, but some sacks haven’t been recorded as sacks. They allowed two effective sacks last week, including one where Hendon Hooker was strip-sacked, but Dylan Sampson recovered the fumble and gained lots of yards out of it, so it didn’t count.

What that shows, though, is that the Vols do have some issues, and they haven’t really been tested yet. Running backs and tight ends pass blocking hasn’t always been crisp, especially with the younger backs in there. They also have questions at left tackle with Gerald Mincey missing last week and Jeremiah Crawford and Dayne Davis playing there.

Again, last year, Hooker wasn’t great with pocket awareness. He’s shown a ton of improvement this year, but it’ll be more crucial than ever this game, and it’ll be his first real test. Can Alabama bring the pressure? That’s what they need to do more than anything else, and they have to catch Hooker off-guard.

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