No team in the Southeastern Conference is better at forcing turnovers. Few are any better at protecting the football.

So, naturally, something has to give Saturday when Tennessee and its relatively ball-secure offense battles takeaway-minded Alabama on the road (3:30 p.m., CBS).

The Vols have yielded just five turnovers --- two interceptions, three fumbles --- on the season while Alabama has forced an SEC-best and tied for fifth-most nationally 16 takeaways.

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"Well, I always think usually starts up front and they're big and strong," said first-year Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike DeBord. "They will be the biggest front and strongest front we've faced. And then their linebackers, their secondary, again, is the most athletic group [the Vols have faced]. They're quick, fast and when you have great athletes, you can get to the football and that usually creates more turnovers.

"Every game (valuing possession is) critical, so I don't know that one game is more important in turnovers. But obviously in this game, playing a great defense, it's always at the top of our list."

So, too, DeBord explained, is a patient approach from the Tennessee offense. The Vols, even as Georgia limited them to almost 20 carries of 2 yards or less, maintained a steady, balanced mind-set against the Bulldogs in their come-from-behind, 38-31 win Oct. 10.

"I think that's very important; I think that we're going to have to be patient," DeBord said. "We've faced very good defenses this season, and we tried to be patient with those. We'll have a similar approach in this ballgame as well."

DeBord pointed to an all-around offensive approach from the players as to why Tennessee has limited turnovers to the second-lowest total in the SEC and seventh-fewest nationally, numbers that match Florida in the league and trail only the two surrendered by LSU. He praised the decision-making not just of quarterback Josh Dobbs but also the offense's complete body of work.

"Well, I think for Josh but also, too, for anybody that's had the ball in their hands, the decision-making. That's always critical," DeBord said. "But obviously Josh is taking care of the football, and that's where it starts. He touches the ball on every play. So that's where it starts."

No, not bird flu. DeBord said Tuesday that Jalen Hurd missed practice not because of injury but because of illness. He didn't seem overly concerned that Hurd's availability might be in doubt against the Tide.

"He had the flu. He's battling that a little bit," DeBord said. "Should be fine. We think he should be able to go tomorrow (Wednesday)."

Because of lingering issues for offensive linemen Jashon Robertson and Brett Kendrick, Tennessee's coaching staff isn't sure who its first five offensive linemen will be taking the field in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday in Tuscaloosa.

Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord admitted he and his staff may not know until the end of the week.

"It's going to depend on where we are health-wise. It always depends on that and when we get closer to game time (we determine) who will play and who will be in the rotation and who will be the first guy in, second guy in, all of that," DeBord said. "That's always determined on Friday before the game, usually we talk about it as a staff."

If Robertson, Kendrick or both aren't able to go, the Vols will have to choose from senior Mack Crowder and freshmen Jack Jones and Chance Hall possibly combined with some shuffling like they have utilized at other times.

The Jones-Hall combination for the better part of three quarters seemed to work for the Vols against Georgia, and DeBord said he's seen them carry over their experience over the last few weeks.

"I think they gained a lot of confidence playing in a big game like that," DeBord said. "They had some good plays and they had some big plays like everybody else where they'd like to have them back. I think they've learned from it."

DeBord dismissed the notion that this game has brought about a change in the demeanor of tailback Alvin Kamara, who began his collegiate career two years ago at Alabama before he transferred out of the program, spent a season in junior college and then enrolled at Tennessee in January.

"Hasn't said a word about it. He's Alvin. He's a leader for us," DeBord said. "Works hard in practice, everything. He hasn't said a word about it, at least to me and the coaches."

DeBord, however, said plenty about Kamara's impact on the Vols' offensive attack. The 5-foot-10, 215-pound Norcross, Ga., native has 447 all-purpose yards and six touchdowns.

"This is a tough league and for anybody to take a pounding as a running back, play after play, and I'm not just talking about running the ball, pass protection, anything like that, it's tough. Alvin has obviously come in and given us great depth at that position and great production," DeBord explained. "He's been able to run the ball and catch the ball, pass pro, all that. He's your all-around running back. He can do everything."