Tennessee vs. Alabama: Game information, notes, storylines

Tennessee proved against Texas A&M that it can win without an explosive offense under Josh Heupel. It might need to do the same against Alabama on Saturday.

A year after snapping a 15-game losing streak against the Crimson Tide in a game where both teams combined for more than 1,300 yards and 101 points, the No. 17 Vols (5-1, 2-1 SEC) enter the most recent installment of the "Third Saturday in October" as one of the top defensive teams in the league.

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As for No. 11 Alabama (5-1, 4-0), the Crimson Tide have done enough to stay perfect in conference play, scoring less than five of their last six games while having the third ranked defense in the SEC.

Here is a closer look at the matchup.

Who: No. 17 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) at No. 11 Alabama (6-1, 4-0)

Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium | Tuscaloosa, Alabama

When: Saturday, Oct. 21 | 3:30 p.m. ET

TV: CBS (Brad Nessler, play-by-play; Gary Danielson, analyst; Jenny Dell, reporter)

Line: Alabama -8.5

ESPN Matchup Predictor: Alabama, 76.8%

Series History: Alabama leads, 59-39-7

-- Tennessee will look to put its road woes behind it on Saturday. The Vols, who have won 13-straight games at Neyland Stadium, are just 5-5 in true road games under Heupel with their lone loss this season coming at Florida in week 3. Troubles with communication and pre-snap penalties have been the biggest culprits. Tennessee committed five false starts against the Gators.

-- Tennessee and Alabama will meet for the 106th times on Saturday and for the 21st time, both programs enter the game ranked in the top 20 of the polls. After ending one losing streak to the Crimson Tide last season, the Vols are looking to end a 9-game skid in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee last beat Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2003.

-- Tennessee continues to lean on its run game for offensive production. The Vols found success against a Texas A&M defense that topped the SEC in stopping the run, limiting teams to just 84.0 rush yards per game. Tennessee posted 232 rushing yards vs. Aggies with Jaylen Wright running for 139 yards.

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-- There hasn't been many teams that have had success against a Nick Saban coached Alabama team in back-to-back games. The Crimson Tide are 20-2 in "rematch games" after losing to opponent the previous season. The only team to beat Alabama for two-straight years was Ole Miss in 2014-15.

-- Alabama suffered a loss to Texas in week 2 but has won five-straight games since. Under Saban, the Crimson Tide a commanding 57-4 in the month of October with a 32-0 record at home. Alabama's last October loss came against Texas A&M in College Station in 2021.

-- Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe has thrown 11 touchdown passes through seven games. All 11 scores were thrown 15-plus yards and five of them were thrown 40-plus yards. He tossed a season-long 79-yard touchdown pass in the Crimson Tide's 24-21 win over Arkansas last week.

TENNESSEE:

Joe Milton III, QB

Stats: 112-of-182 passing, 1,264 yards, 10 TDs, 4 INTs, 56.6 QBR

Jaylen Wright, RB

Stats: 80 carries, 571 yards, 1 TD, 7.1 AVG.

James Pearce Jr., DL

Stats: 10 tackles, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 9 QBHs

Aaron Beasley, LB

Stats: 38 tackles, 8.5 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 QBH

Kamal Hadden, DB

Stats: 17 tackles, 3 INTs, 8 PBUs

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Vols defense prepares to deal with mobile Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe

ALABAMA:

Jalen Milroe, QB

Stats: 85-of-132 passing, 1,397 yards, 11 TDs, 4 INTs, 77.0 QBR

Jase McClellan, RB

Stats: 95 carries, 454 yards, 3 TDs, 4.8 AVG.

Jermaine Burton, WR

Stats: 19 receptions, 446 yards, 4 TDs, 23.5 AVG.

Dallas Turner, LB

Stats: 29 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, 7 sacks, 10 QBHs

Caleb Downs, DB

Stats: 54 tackles, 2 INTs

4.4: The average number of yards per play that Tennessee's defense has allowed this season. The Vols ranked second in the SEC and 10th nationally in that category.

231.3: The average number of rushing yards that Tennessee has put up through six games. The Vols have put together the best run game in the conference, which includes a 232-yard performance vs. Texas A&M.

4.0: The average number of sacks the Tennessee defense has accounted for per game. The Vols ranked second in the league in sacks with 24.0 and have recorded at least one sack in 10-straight games.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Tennessee looks to improve road communication with healthy Cooper Mays

39.9: The average number of yards that Jalen Milroe has averaged on his 11 touchdown passes this season. He has a touchdown pass for 15 yards or more in six of Alabama's seven games.

12: The number of touchdowns that the Alabama offense has scored in the red zone this season, 10 of which came on the ground. The Crimson Tide have scored on 20 of 21 red zone trips.

7: The number of interceptions that the Alabama defense has accounted for this season. Defensive back Caleb Downs leads with two. The Crimson Tide are tied for third in the SEC in takeaways.

Vols DL looks to stay dominant: Tennessee's defensive front has a proven ability to get after the quarterback. The Vols have totaled 24.0 sacks with edge rushers James Pearce Jr. and Tyler Baron have combined for 10 TFLs and seven sacks. The Alabama offensive line has allowed 31 sacks for 208 yards in seven games.

Tennessee passing game struggles: Tennessee's passing game has left much to be desired. A year after breaking all kinds of program records on offense, the Vols are averaging just 212.5 passing yards per game, which is among the last in the SEC.

Can run game continue to carry the load?: The deficiencies in throwing the ball has forced Tennessee to turn to its running backs for production. The group, led by Jalyen Wright who has 571 yards on 80 carries, has been consistent. If the pass game struggled continue, the Vols will need to lean on Wright, Jabari Small and Dylan Sampson against Alabama.

MORE FROM VOLREPORT: Vols' last win in Tuscaloosa was one of Third Saturday in October's best

Containing Milroe: Tennessee hasn't faced a quarterback as dynamic as Milroe yet. He has managed to make plays outside of the pocket with his arm and legs, offering up the Vols' defensive front's biggest challenge to date.

Challenge set for Vols' OL: Tennessee's own offensive front will have its hands full in stopping Dallas Turner. The Alabama linebacker has lived in opponents' backfields, totaling 9.5 TFL and seven sacks to go along with 10 quarterbacks hurries.

Hadden headlines Tennessee secondary: The defensive back Kamal Hadden has been impressive this season. He has eight pass breakups and three interceptions, two of which were critical in Tennessee's wins over South Carolina and Texas A&M. Hadden is the Vols' top rated pass defender according to Pro Football Focus, grading out at 90.3.

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