He knows the crowd will be boisterous at Neyland Stadium and the atmosphere in Knoxville (Tenn.) is prepared to produce an upset victory over Alabama.
Nick Saban was in this moment before in 2022. He has a Heisman winner at quarterback, a dynamic running back, and several standout names on defense, yet the environment was too much. Tennessee clicked at the right time, especially on third down, earning a 52-49 victory over the Crimson Tide. Josh Heupel grabbed his victory cigars, Volunteer fans stormed the field after its first taste of success in 16 tries against Alabama, and both goal posts were tossed into the river. Tennessee converted five of 10 third-down attempts two years ago to beat a Saban-coached team. The 72-year-old remembers it all too well and had a message for Kalen DeBoer, Kane Wommack, and this Tide team. He shared it Saturday in his segment on ESPN’s College GameDay.
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“Let me say this: they better get off the field on third down,” Saban said. “I’m talking about Alabama.”
Saban wants the Tide’s defense to win on third down. Alabama fans want the defense to win on third down.
This category has been a problem for Alabama since the second half versus Georgia. Failure to win on third down allowed Vanderbilt to upset the Tide and it almost had South Carolina pull out a win. Wommack, the Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator, has to be at his best calling plays and the players must execute properly on third down versus the Vols.
Third down efficiency will be a critical key to this matchup.
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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.
