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Thoughts on Tennessee
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:15 pm
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:15 pm
When Alabama is on offense
I feel like this is redux of the last three weeks: if we can get them blocked then I think there are opportunities to exploit their secondary.
The health of Williams, Meadows, and - most importantly - Miller really loom large on this game. We are getting closer to the problem we had from around midseason last year where we really only had 2 playmaking skill players. It isn't that dire yet but a growing concern. Especially at tailback where Miller has shown himself to be the 2025 Alabama Rushing Attack. Without him, we're a one-dimensional unit. Accordingly, I think we need Miller more than Williams even if Williams is the more explosive playmaker.
When Alabama is on defense
There are three big questions here:
1. How does a defense that wants to be zone-heavy defend an offense that wants to scheme you into man-on-man situations?
2. Can Alabama continue to stack effective albeit not elite run defense performances? With the wide splits and 4 vert base pass attack Tennessee runs, the run defense is going to be on the 5 or 6 in the box.
3. Can Alabama's opportunistic defense get Aguilar to have a 2 or more turnover games he had v. the best defenses he's seen thus far (UGA and MSU)?
The Special Teams
1. If the game comes down to kickers, Tennessee's had shown much better effectiveness from 40+: hitting 2 50+ yarders and 4/6 overall from 40 or more.
2. Boo Carter has been a very solid punt returner. Ideally we're never punting but he can make you pay for poorly executed punts.
I feel like this is redux of the last three weeks: if we can get them blocked then I think there are opportunities to exploit their secondary.
The health of Williams, Meadows, and - most importantly - Miller really loom large on this game. We are getting closer to the problem we had from around midseason last year where we really only had 2 playmaking skill players. It isn't that dire yet but a growing concern. Especially at tailback where Miller has shown himself to be the 2025 Alabama Rushing Attack. Without him, we're a one-dimensional unit. Accordingly, I think we need Miller more than Williams even if Williams is the more explosive playmaker.
When Alabama is on defense
There are three big questions here:
1. How does a defense that wants to be zone-heavy defend an offense that wants to scheme you into man-on-man situations?
2. Can Alabama continue to stack effective albeit not elite run defense performances? With the wide splits and 4 vert base pass attack Tennessee runs, the run defense is going to be on the 5 or 6 in the box.
3. Can Alabama's opportunistic defense get Aguilar to have a 2 or more turnover games he had v. the best defenses he's seen thus far (UGA and MSU)?
The Special Teams
1. If the game comes down to kickers, Tennessee's had shown much better effectiveness from 40+: hitting 2 50+ yarders and 4/6 overall from 40 or more.
2. Boo Carter has been a very solid punt returner. Ideally we're never punting but he can make you pay for poorly executed punts.
This post was edited on 10/14/25 at 7:12 am
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Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:22 pm to Diego Ricardo
I think we give up yards between the 20’s. How our defense plays in the red zone will determine the game.
I like our chances at home.
frick Tennessee
I like our chances at home.
frick Tennessee
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:33 pm to Diego Ricardo
I think if Alabama gets through this game it’s smooth sailing until the SEC championship which will inevitably be a huge challenge vs. Lane Kiffin.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:35 pm to Diego Ricardo
Jam is concussed. He's not playing saturday
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:35 pm to Diego Ricardo
Turnovers and limiting long-touchdowns are going to be the keys.
We are going to give up yards, likely in several significant chunks. But are those chunk plays by Tennessee touchdowns? Even if they can complete a 40 yard pass, it's a bigger deal in this game to tackle the guy after the completion, even if it's down on the 5, than in any other on the schedule.
Tennessee's offense is much easier to defend in the red zone as the field compresses. Great effort and angles in pursuit matter.
Tennessee has turned the ball over 9 times this year. Aguilar throws a lot of prayers downfield (which they come up with a decent amount of the time). DB's have to get their heads around and play the ball.
If we can force them to execute in the red zone (likely forcing FGs more often than not), turn them over 2-3 times, and take care of the ball, we will likely have a comfortable victory.
If Tennessee has multiple scores of 25+ yards and the turnover margin is equal, we're in trouble.
We will very likely score on these guys through the air. Hopefully with a more health Ryan Williams. Tennessee has given up 250+ yards passing 4 times already this year against a group of QBs who are all fine, but not great. Don't count on much of a run game without Jam, though I'm sure we will still give out enough carries to keep them somewhat honest. It will likely take 30+ to win.
We are going to give up yards, likely in several significant chunks. But are those chunk plays by Tennessee touchdowns? Even if they can complete a 40 yard pass, it's a bigger deal in this game to tackle the guy after the completion, even if it's down on the 5, than in any other on the schedule.
Tennessee's offense is much easier to defend in the red zone as the field compresses. Great effort and angles in pursuit matter.
Tennessee has turned the ball over 9 times this year. Aguilar throws a lot of prayers downfield (which they come up with a decent amount of the time). DB's have to get their heads around and play the ball.
If we can force them to execute in the red zone (likely forcing FGs more often than not), turn them over 2-3 times, and take care of the ball, we will likely have a comfortable victory.
If Tennessee has multiple scores of 25+ yards and the turnover margin is equal, we're in trouble.
We will very likely score on these guys through the air. Hopefully with a more health Ryan Williams. Tennessee has given up 250+ yards passing 4 times already this year against a group of QBs who are all fine, but not great. Don't count on much of a run game without Jam, though I'm sure we will still give out enough carries to keep them somewhat honest. It will likely take 30+ to win.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:37 pm to Diego Ricardo
How healthy is the battered UT secondary that made Gunner Stockton look like Matt Stafford?
This post was edited on 10/13/25 at 1:38 pm
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:39 pm to Diego Ricardo
Would be shocked if we have Jam back this quick.
I think the big key is turnovers. We have been good at forcing them so far this year, need that to continue. That and holding them to 3 when they reach the red zone.
I think the big key is turnovers. We have been good at forcing them so far this year, need that to continue. That and holding them to 3 when they reach the red zone.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:40 pm to UhOhOreo
quote:
Jam is concussed. He's not playing saturday
That's my assumption.
They're going to have to figure out something to produce effective running from the handoff. I don't think we can roll with Riley (who can't really follow his blocks) and Hill (who is really not a zone scheme runner) and get what we need from the tailbacks on the ground to win.
However, Tennessee gets after the quarterback and pass protection is going to be critical in drop back passing situations. If AK Dear can't execute his chips or pickups in pass pro then I can't imagine him playing much. However, I think that is exactly the juice we need in the run game.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:40 pm to Diego Ricardo
42-10 Bama. frick TN and that puke orange and their hillbilly fan base.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:41 pm to Vulcan Materials
quote:
I think if Alabama gets through this game it’s smooth sailing until the SEC championship which will inevitably be a huge challenge vs. Lane Kiffin.
I don't think any of what you said is accurate.
LSU will give us their best game of the year coming off a bye. We'll get a healthier version of Nuss and their defense is good.
Oklahoma DL is elite and Mateer is exactly the type of QB that will give us the game of his life as he starts to get healthy again.
Auburn @ JHS is always a nightmare, just look at how close they came to going up 17-0 on UGA before they crapped down their own leg. We know JA can give our defense problems with the right gameplan.
And it's far from certain that Ole Miss will make the title game. Lots of uncertainty still in the schedule. TAMU has as good a shot to make it as anyone.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:42 pm to Diego Ricardo
This Bama team makes a lot of mistakes on both sides of the ball. But this Bama team finds away to win and at the end of the day that’s all that matters.
It seems every wk a different player steps up in critical moments. It might be someone that hasn’t played very much but gets an opportunity and takes advantage of it.
The defensive coaching staff doesn’t get a lot of credit due to giving up big plays on the first offensive possession. I admit that shite pisses me off and I think Kane is a disaster, but when the game is over you look at the stats and they quietly shut an offensive strength down. For whatever reason that’s the way this defense plays and I’m going to stop being critical and just sweat it out.
And last thing, frick the Viles
It seems every wk a different player steps up in critical moments. It might be someone that hasn’t played very much but gets an opportunity and takes advantage of it.
The defensive coaching staff doesn’t get a lot of credit due to giving up big plays on the first offensive possession. I admit that shite pisses me off and I think Kane is a disaster, but when the game is over you look at the stats and they quietly shut an offensive strength down. For whatever reason that’s the way this defense plays and I’m going to stop being critical and just sweat it out.
And last thing, frick the Viles
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:45 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:
1. How does a defense that wants to be zone-heavy defend an offense that wants to scheme you into man-on-man situations?
Y’all aren’t gonna wanna hear this but Domani may need to play over Lee
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:49 pm to Diego Ricardo
Just stop their run game and force Tennessee to throw more. Joey isn't good in short passing game. Just bend but don't break and I think we'll be okay. Tennessee gets their points in first quarter but struggled to maintain after that.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 1:57 pm to Panthers4life
The biggest key (besides mistakes of course) is our offense controlling the TOP like they usually do and preventing Tennessee from having too many drives for their offense. It also doesn’t help their defense that their offensive philosophy is short/quick drives
Posted on 10/13/25 at 2:07 pm to Glorious
quote:
Y’all aren’t gonna wanna hear this but Domani may need to play over Lee
Also a thought I had. They may elect to go man heavy and Jackson locks up on Brazzell.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 2:17 pm to Crimson77
That's my biggest fear with Tennessee. They have the athletes to capitalize on those long chunk plays the defense has been prone to give up.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 2:20 pm to Chris ALL Capps
The thing that killed us last year - without rewatching that abortion - was the inability to stop the run when they committed to it in the 2nd half.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 2:25 pm to Diego Ricardo
I would like to see the offense finish drives better and play better in the second half of games. Seems like we do a lot of our scoring in the first half and not so much in the second half.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 2:45 pm to Glorious
quote:
Y’all aren’t gonna wanna hear this but Domani may need to play over Lee
Just need to make sure Domani puts his money on us this week.
Posted on 10/13/25 at 3:11 pm to Diego Ricardo
quote:
Thoughts on Tennessee
I don’t like them. Their orange is the worse shade of orange. They stink. They’re pompous. They’re haters and snitches. I don’t like them.
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