Alabama may have quarterback Bryce Young available when the No. 3 Crimson Tide return to Rocky Top to meet No. 6 Tennessee. Young, who missed last week’s win against Texas A&M with a sprained shoulder, is expected to “start” against the Vols, ESPN’s Pete Thamel said Saturday morning on “College GameDay.” The reigning Heisman Trophy winner will play for the Crimson Tide if all goes well in pregame warmups, Alabama coach Nick Saban told Dennis Dodd of CBS Sports on Friday.
With or without Young, this edition of the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry game is much different than those of the past decade and a half, however. Both teams will enter the game undefeated for the first time since 1989, and it will be just the third time during the Volunteers’ 15-game losing streak to the Crimson Tide that they have even be listed at the time of kick-off.
The Crimson Tide are fresh off their biggest scare of the season, a 24-20 win against Texas A&M last week that ended with the Aggies’ potential game-winning pass from the 2-yard line falling incomplete. The Volunteers are riding high after dominating then-No. 25 LSU 40-13 in Death Valley to set up what will be a wild scene in Knoxville, Tennessee.
What should you expect on a Saturday afternoon? Let’s preview the SEC on CBS Game of the Week and make picks straight up and against the spread, and be sure to follow Alabama at Tennessee live scores and updates throughout the game.
How to watch Alabama vs. Tennessee live
Date: Saturday, October 15 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET Venue: Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, TennesseeTV: CBS | Live stream: CBSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Alabama vs. Tennessee: Need to know
“Bryce Young watch” continues: Saban said earlier this week that he is “hopeful” that Young, his star quarterback and reigning Heisman winner, can take the field after missing last weekend’s game with a dislocated shoulder strain Now it appears that Saban may get his wish after he told Dodd that Young has made a lot of progress this week and will try to play against the Vols if all goes well in pregame workouts. To see also : College Football Games Week 1: Utah Aims To Come As Favorite Against Florida In The Swamp.
If not cleared, redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe will take the snaps for another game. Milroe threw three touchdown passes last weekend but also fumbled twice and threw one interception. Saban wasn’t thrilled with Milroe’s performance.
An upset at home against an unranked opponent is much different than an upset on the road in front of more than 100,000 fans against the No. 6 team in the country. If Young can’t go, or even if he’s not 100%, Alabama’s outlook will change dramatically.
Tillman back?: Tennessee’s offense is seventh in the nation in passing at 340.4 yards per game, and much of that has been done without its top receiver. Cedric Tillman underwent “tight rope” ankle surgery in September after just three games, but the senior entered the season as quarterback Hendon Hooker’s top target. He put up 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns, and could rejoin Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy in what will be the most challenging passing attack Alabama’s secondary has faced all year.
“Cedric is doing good,” Heupel said Monday. “It’s part of the reason he had the operation, is to try and be back for this one. It’s continuing to progress over the weekend, so we’ll be monitoring it. At the end of the day, as I said the last week, our medical team and Cedric will make the right decision for him, now and in the future too.”
Alabama’s best defense against this bunch will likely be a ferocious pass rush led by EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
How to stop Jahmyr Gibbs?: The star running back for the Crimson Tide has emerged as the focal point of the offense after Young’s injury. He rushed for 206 yards (including two carries of 70 yards or more) in the win over Arkansas and 154 more last week against the Aggies. Whether Young or Milroe gets the drive, it’s imperative that Tennessee stops him in order to give itself a chance.
“He’s explosive, so you know they’re going to try to find ways to get the ball in his hands,” Heupel said. “In the run game, you better not let him start. If he does, he has the ability to take the distance. He has good vision and speed behind the line of scrimmage. When he sees a hole, he He does a really good job of making people miss as well He has to bottle up in the run game, and then when they use him in the pass game as well, you have to do a great job taking him away and matching him out.”
Tennessee has given up just 2.79 yards per carry and 89.2 yards per game on the ground. It will be going from strength to strength on Rocky Top this weekend.
Alabama vs. Tennessee prediction, picks
Feature Game | Tennessee Volunteers vs. On the same subject : 2022 NBA offseason grades for all 30 teams: Celtics put on masterclass; Lakers underwhelm; The wolf swings big. Alabama Crimson Tide
Take Tennessee and the points, but you might want to consider a “silver line sprinkle” on this one. Even if Young does play, it’s unlikely he’ll be 100%. If Alabama’s offense falters, or even if it just has a few empty possessions, the Vols will have a chance to win this one outright. That is exactly what I think will happen. Hooker will make a huge Heisman Trophy statement in what will be Tennessee’s biggest win in a generation. Prediction: Tennessee (+7.5)
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