KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WIAT) -- Alabama football heads to Neyland Stadium for a top-15 showdown with Tennessee in the "Third Saturday in October."
Alabama comes into this game with several question marks regarding the team's identity after beating Georgia, losing to Vanderbilt and squeaking out a win over South Carolina.
Since the first half of the Georgia game, the defense hasn't executed at a consistent level. The offense struggled last week -- credit to the South Carolina defensive line -- they forced Jalen Milroe to throw two interceptions and held Alabama to a season-low 27 points. Milroe has thrown for 1,483 yards and 12 touchdowns, with Ryan Williams leading the receiving core with 576 yards and six touchdowns.
Tennessee has been facing similar challenges as the Crimson Tide. The Vols began the season with a dominant victory over NC State, 51-10, followed by an impressive win on the road against Oklahoma, 25-15, and then a stunning loss to Arkansas. The Vols then returned home and it took overtime to beat the struggling Florida Gators, 23-17. Freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava got off to a hot start but has cooled down the past two weeks. He has 1,219 passing yards to go along with seven touchdowns on the season.
Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. on ABC. Here's what to look for in Tide vs Vols:
Potential shootout like the 2022 game?
- The last time these two programs played in Knoxville it was an all-time classic. The Vols won the game 52-49, thanks to Jalin Hyatt torching the Alabama defense for 207 yards and five touchdowns. Both teams still have explosive offenses as Bama has scored over 40 points in four of its six games and Josh Heupel runs an up-tempo offense that's predicated on scoring fast.
Alabama's defense must rise to the occasion
- Tennessee boasts a top-50 offense in college football, while Alabama ranks 55th nationally in total defense. It'll be key for Alabama to get off the field when the opportunities present themselves. Tennessee ranks 40th in the country on third-down conversions and 24th on fourth-downs. The Crimson Tide has struggled mightily the last two weeks on those downs and against a fast-paced team, they must slow them down to keep from tiring out.
Chance for the Crimson Tide to gain momentum and confidence back
- If Alabama comes away with a victory Saturday, it'll leave fans wondering if the team plays down to its competition after losing to one and struggling with another team they were favored to beat by double digits. Nevertheless, with three consecutive ranked games on the schedule for the Crimson Tide, it's a chance to prove they are a national championship contender and prove doubters wrong. A win this Saturday could prove huge for the Tide's confidence and give them a boost to finish the regular season strong.
Betting odds
- Spread: Alabama (-3)
- Over/under: 57
- Moneyline: Ala. (-148), Tenn. (+124)