By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin.  Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page

Breaking down the Southern Pigskin Game of the Week: Alabama vs Tennessee.

Game of the Week — Alabama at Tennessee

Overview — The “Third Saturday in October” comes with a lot on the line with both teams leading their respective divisions. As defending national champions, the Crimson Tide enter undefeated and atop the national polls. Even with a loss, the Volunteers aren’t too far behind. This top-ten tussle will undoubtedly have Neyland Stadium at its best. Alabama has not lost to Tennessee since 2006, but last season’s meeting came down to the final few minutes. The Volunteers, led by quarterback Joshua Dobbs, have had a touch of destiny about them this fall. Beating the Crimson Tide will likely require all Tennessee has, however, as Alabama has won a remarkable 18 games in a row, the longest winning streak in the country.

Why to Watch — One of the game’s most tradition-rich rivalries, this is a series that dates back to 1903. There are obvious College Football Playoff and SEC Championship implications at play. Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide are in clear pursuit of yet another national title and Knoxville looms as one of their biggest remaining hurdles. At 5-1 and ranked in the top ten, with a favorable second-half schedule, the Volunteers are still in prime position. Two of the games premier defensive linemen will be on display in Alabama’s Jonathan Allen and Tennessee’s Derek Barnett; they have combined for 46.5 career sacks. Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin makes his second return trip to UT, where he was head coach in 2009.

Keys for Alabama
1. Make the ‘Vols One-Dimensional — Tennessee’s offense is at its best when balanced, a harmony which can be very difficult to defend against. The Volunteers best rushing production came last weekend, with 282 yards and three touchdowns in College Station. Both Jalen Hurd, who rushed for 92 yards in the meeting a year ago, and Alvin Karma, who compiled 127 yards versus Texas A&M, should be good-to-go for Tennessee on Saturday. As they have done consistently under Nick Saban, the Crimson Tide must make limiting the ground game a top priority. No team in college football has been better at stuffing the run. Alabama leads the nation, allowing just 69.17 yards per game and 2.22 yards per carry. Continued success in run defense would likely create third down and long situations, which, against the Crimson Tide pass rushers and ballhawks, could mean sacks or turnovers. Alabama leads power five conference teams with 24 sacks and has gained the third most turnovers in the league.

2. Establish the Ground Game — It is always critical for a road team to run the football well, especially with a true freshman quarterback in a hostile environment; doing so results in a controlled tempo, a worn-down defense and fewer offensive opportunities for the opponent. The Crimson Tide could find notable success versus a Tennessee rush defense that struggled mightily against Texas A&M, allowing 353 yards on the ground and four touchdowns. Alabama, meanwhile, averaged over 7.7 yards per rush at Arkansas. Damien Harris, like Treyvon Williams recently did, could have a big day running the football; Jalen Hurts could have success with his legs, like Trevor Knight. A strong rushing attack would help limit the impact of Derek Barnett, the accomplished pass-rusher for the Volunteers. Minimizing his influence off the edge has to be considered a major priority for the Crimson Tide. He has five sacks this fall and recorded one in the game in Tuscaloosa a year ago.

3. Limit the Big Play — The home run is a great ally of the home underdog. Chunk plays can swing momentum with instant emotion, fire up the crowd and put immediate pressure on the visiting favorite, changing the dynamic of a contest in just a few short moments. Alabama has been somewhat susceptible to the big play at times this season, having allowed seven of 40 yards or more. The Crimson Tide must make Tennessee work for its offensive production, giving their proven playmakers chances to create their own highlight. Along with quarterback Joshua Dobbs, receiver Josh Malone and running back Alvin Kamara are gamebreakers Alabama need to contain. Part of the reason the Volunteers have been able to come back so often this fall is because they have been able to get downfield in a hurry, when needed.

Keys for Tennessee
1. Win the Turnover Battle — You simply can’t turn the football over against the Crimson Tide. The Volunteers have lost 16 through six games, most notably seven times in their loss to the Aggies, tied with Kentucky for the worst rate in the SEC. Protecting the football is critical when playing Alabama as the Crimson Tide have already scored a staggering nine non-offensive touchdowns in 2016. From Joshua Dobbs making good decisions in the passing game to ball-carriers focusing on security to effective pass protection, offensive goals must include valuing possession. Tennessee may need to force a few turnovers, an area where they have been effective this year, to pull off the upset. Defensive end Derek Barnett can be a catalyst in that regard, getting into the offensive backfield against a true freshman signal caller and making plays as he has done throughout his career.

2. Avoid the Slow Start — For whatever reason, the Volunteers have been consistently plagued by terrible opening quarters, with a 62-24 total tally, in favor of their opponents, halfway through the regular season. Poor play early has resulted in Tennessee having to be near-perfect, and sometimes fortunate, late in games; that pressure has given the Volunteers very little margin for error as contests have progressed. Mounting a significant comeback against college football’s top-ranked team would be extremely difficult, so a more effective introduction seems like a must. There will be a lot of passion on display in this storied rivalry series, energy the Volunteers need to channel in a productive manner, both offensively and defensively, on the first few drives of the game.

3. Hidden Yardage — Special teams play and penalties always seem to play a big role in big games, areas where Tennessee need to be sound. A big return from Evan Berry could change the game’s direction, while the Volunteers cannot let Eddie Jackson or Xavian Marks get loose for Alabama. With points potentially being at a premium and field position being so important, Tennessee has to be efficient in the kicking game. Penalties have been a problem for the Volunteers, setbacks that will be magnified against the opportunistic Crimson Tide. Both keeping manageable down-and-distance situations and not extending Alabama drives with mistakes will be crucial. Don’t underestimate the sheer significance of field position and how that fluidly impacts team’s gameplans

Players to Watch
Alabama: Jonathan Allen, DE — The tone-setter for college football’s top front seven, the Crimson Tide lead the nation in rush defense and rank second in sacks. Allen makes the unit go and is remarkably-disruptive for a lineman in a 3-4 scheme. He is effective in run defense and as a pass rusher.

Tennessee: Joshua Dobbs, QB — Dobbs leads the Volunteers into another big game and has had a touch of magic to his play this season. His focus and poise has been key to the team’s overall success. Dobbs has scored 18 total touchdowns and paced Tennessee to 684 total yards at Texas A&M.

Final Thought
The Volunteers have proven they can play with anyone in the country over the past two years; the defending national champions still stand as the ultimate barometer. Points were at a premium in last season’s thriller, though the game may open up some this weekend. Production in the rushing game will likely be a determining factor either way. The quarterback pairing, with a talented true freshman and a proven senior, is captivating. Expect a bit of the unexpected.

Predictions
Click here for the SouthernPigskin.com Staff Picks