He defeated an Alabama team two years ago at Neyland Stadium that had a Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback.
Josh Heupel took down Nick Saban and Bryce Young in Knoxville (Tenn.) as the Volunteers head coach in 2022, but now he battles Kalen DeBoer and Jalen Milroe this weekend. Milroe, a redshirt junior, is one of the best quarterbacks in the Southeastern Conference. He did not have his best performance versus South Carolina, yet he has totaled 1,483 passing yards, 319 rushing yards, and 23 touchdowns to four interceptions.
Heupel, a former quarterback at Oklahoma, addressed reporters in Monday’s presser about what significantly concerns him the most about Milroe. The native Texan defeated Tennessee last season.
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“He has been extremely accurate with the football,” Heupel said about Milroe. “He is a pretty sound decision maker, and I think while you are trying to apply pressure to him so those guys don’t have all day to round around on the second and third level … you have to be mindful and not let him escape. His athleticism when he does escape is special. You put all those pieces together, you gotta do a great job of having rush integrity, getting off a block, and making a play when it tucks it.”
Milroe is an explosive runner and Heupel knows it.
He looks to have his defense prepared to stop the dangerous quarterback. Milroe also has to be at his best in terms of pocket awareness and decision-making. He took bad sacks versus South Carolina and tossed two interceptions.
Tennessee will capitalize on any mistake he makes. Milroe has to have a bounce back game this week.
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Stephen M. Smith is the senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
