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Tennessee football: Five key Alabama players to watch for against Vols

By Caleb Calhoun

Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrates with linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) after scoring against the UL Monroe Warhawks during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2022; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (31) celebrates with linebacker Henry To'oTo'o (10) after scoring against the UL Monroe Warhawks during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s obviously a bit difficult for Tennessee football to prepare for the Alabama Crimson Tide this week since the Vols aren’t sure who they will face at quarterback. However, Nick Saban’s team, despite seemingly facing some issues right now, is still loaded across the board with talent at a level UT hasn’t reached yet.

Because of that, Josh Heupel still has lots of other elite weapons to prepare for. Heupel is a great strategist, but this is going to be a lot tougher for him than usual. Just last year, UT was in it with Alabama in the fourth quarter but then lost to them 52-24 once they turned it on.

That’s what Alabama is able to do. In spite of all the talk about them, they are still undefeated right now, and they are still the team everybody is chasing. Plenty of players make that clear, and we’re going to break them down in this post. Here are the five Alabama key players when facing Tennessee football Saturday.

The Tennessee football Volunteers must watch out for these Crimson Tide players.

Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) reacts ater making a sack during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2021; Arlington, Texas, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Branch (14) reacts ater making a sack during the second half against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the 2021 Cotton Bowl college football CFP national semifinal game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Brian Branch. player. 829. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Defensive back. Junior. 5

6’0″ 193 pounds

This isn’t the same Alabama secondary as in years past. However, with Cedric Tillman still hurt, regardless of whether or not he plays, the Vols are going to have to turn to Jalin Hyatt once again. Alabama’s most effective defensive back so far this year, nickel Brian Branch, will likely be the guy keying in on Hyatt.

Branch has four tackles for a loss, a sack, three pass deflections and 32 total tackles, 17 of which were solo. He’s been all over the field, and Heupel will have to take him into account when designing plays for Hyatt. However, that’s not the only area he’s a threat.

So far this year, Branch has returned two punts, and he’s already run one back for a touchdown, averaging 32.5 yards a punt return. Tennessee football’s offense won’t be able to get anything going if it doesn’t take him into account, so while the stars aren’t in Alabama’s secondary this year, they still have playmakers.

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