Former Alabama QB says Tide can dominate Vols if they do this

AJ McCarron predicted the Alabama Crimson Tide would beat Tennessee by multiple scores on the latest episode of “The Dynasty Podcast.”

The former Alabama quarterback feels the Vols are not operating at a high level on offense, and the Tide has a chance to take advantage of that.

“Tennessee struggling offensively bad,” McCarron said. “I don’t think they realize or really understand who their starter is. I think (Josh) Huepel’s trying to freaking figure that out. I mean, because (George) MacIntyre, they’ve gone with him the last two weeks, but I mean, he struggled this past week against Arkansas. He was 18 of 29 for 247, one touchdown, two interceptions. He was struggling throughout the game. If they can’t run the football, if I’m Alabama, make them one-dimensional. I mean, that is 100 perecent the key to this game. Stop the run. Huepel loves to spread you out. Stop the run. Make MacIntyre throw it. I don’t think they can be successful doing that. I think Bama wins this game by 17.”

MacIntyre is expected to start quarterback for the Vols against Alabama.

The Crimson Tide’s defensive coordinator discussed the importance of stopping Tennessee on the ground earlier this week.

“It’ll be critical,” Wommack said. “You think about what Tennessee is doing really well right now is they are playing team football. They are running the football. They’re committed to running the football. They are finding explosive plays off of them running the football, and so it’s all predicated on them running in the running game and then creating explosives out of their run game and then the shots that come off of it in the passing game. And so what they’re doing a really good job of, right, is they’re playing that complementary style of football where they’re establishing the run, keeping the clock, and then on defense, right? I think they lead the country in sacks right now, so they’re getting offenses in negative positions and getting off the field on 3rd down because of it.”

Alabama and Tennessee will get after it Saturday in Knoxville. Kickoff is set for 2:30 p.m. CT.