The sledding doesn't get any easier this week for a Tennessee team searching for its first SEC win of the season. The Vols (3-3, 0-3) welcome top-ranked Alabama (6-0, 3-0) to Knoxville on Saturday night and it's hard to see just how they'll be able to conjure an upset. Let's take a look at the match-ups ourselves.

Alabama

EDGE

Tennessee Volunteers

...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial

Alabama DBs		Tennessee QBs/WRs/TEs
Critics will say that the secondary isn't as good as last year's unit, which sent three starters to the NFL, and they may have a point, but the Crimson Tide is still awfully sound in the defensive backfield. Cornerback Dee Milliner leads a group that's largely responsible for an SEC best 11 interceptions for an Alabama defense that tops the league in passing yardage allowed as well as pass efficiency defense. They'll play aggressive man-to-man on the corners and dare the offense to make plays down the field. Among their many impressive numbers, the best may be that they're allowing quarterbacks to complete just 50% of their pass attempts.		Last week's effort against Mississippi State wasn't the best we've seen from this group--148 yards, 13-of-24 passing and two TD's for Tyler Bray--and they'll have to be considerably sharper on Saturday night if an upset is in the offing. The biggest challenge should be finding ways to get Cordarralle Patterson more touches. He had six last week, but only three of those came on receptions. He's one player who can make a difference this weekend. Justin Hunter has been productive, fourth in the SEC in receptions (34) and yards (497), he hasn't had one of those games where he just blisters an opposing defense with acrobatic plays deep down the field. This would be a good week to make some highlights. We're giving the slightest of nods to Tennessee here, they better make the most of it.
Alabama LBs		Tennessee RBs
You don't put up the kind of defensive numbers Alabama's boasting right now without being solid at linebacker, and that's doubly true in a 3-4 scheme that's designed for this group to make plays. C.J. Mosley has been the designated playmaker of this group, showing up all over the field with a team high tackles (51) to go with 2.5 sacks. Bama lost some serious talent in this group from last year's team, but sophomore Adrian Hubbard (5.5 tackles for a loss) has helped fill the void with no discernible drop off in production. The linebacker play is one big reason Alabama has forced an incredible 50% of opponent possessions to end in three and outs.		Rajion Neal has shown marked improvement from the start of the season, notably in his ability to run between the tackles. He's been severely limited all week in practice with an ankle sprain that kept him out of the second half in Starkville though, and that doesn't bode well for the Vols' ground game. Marlin Lane is also battling a thigh injury that limited him last week, which leaves Devrin Young as potentially the top, healthy tailback on the depth chart. Young is a fine player, but going into this game, against this defense, with the 172 pound sophomore as the top option ball carrying option raises some concerns. Young is averaging 4.5 yards per carry on 26 attempts this year, but had a costly fumble last week in the fourth quarter.

Already a member? Click here to sign in