Alabama football looks at Saturday as an opportunity to show the College Football Playoff Committee it is one of the best four teams in college football.
The Crimson Tide hosts Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium for the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry. After suffering a loss to the Volunteers in 2022, Nick Saban and Alabama are out to avenge the defeat at 2:30 p.m. CT on CBS. Coach Saban updated reporters on some key injuries for the Tide, but a CBS Sports analyst sees Alabama fairing better in this matchup.
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Brian Jones gives the nod to the Tide to win its seventh game of the season. He likes the rushing attack that Tennessee has; however, Jones knows the Vols don’t have the same passing game as last year. Hendon Hooker totaled 385 passing yards and five touchdowns in a 52-49 victory for Tennessee. Jalin Hyatt caught five passes for 206 yards receiving and five scores.
“If they can run as they did last week, they’ve got a chance, but I don’t foresee that occurring against this Bama defense.”
🗣️ @JonesN4mo and the entire ICF crew are rolling with Bama over Tennessee in the CBS Game of the Week pic.twitter.com/A1mG4ayLxH
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) October 18, 2023
“Last year, the Vols offense had the firepower to threaten Alabama on the backend,” Jones said.
“That is why they won the ball game, and they had a quarterback that was much more consistent than this year’s version. I am going with Alabama in this game. I think it is going to be a slugfest. The way Tennessee is running the rock … if they can run as they did last week, they’ve got a chance. I don’t see that occurring against this Alabama defense.”
Alabama has one of the best defenses in the nation against the run, and its pass rush is strong too.
The Tide cannot afford too many penalties in this matchup. It needs a dominant, clean game against Tennessee.
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Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
