re: Official In-Season Practice, Injury Reports and Press Conferences Thread: 12-0

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Good Morning America co-host and ESPN analyst Jesse Palmer can't put a finger on Tennessee's first-half struggles this season.

Previewing Saturday's showdown vs. top-ranked Alabama during Tuesday's appearance on SportsCenter, Palmer said the Vols have proven to be one of the nation's best teams this season but early ineptitude could be a damning factor against the Crimson Tide.

“This has to be mind-blowing for head coach Butch Jones because it’s really a myriad of problems,” Palmer said. “I think certainly having key players out on defense has aided offenses in finding explosive plays early in games, but offensively for Tennessee, where do you want to start? Early in the game, Joshua Dobbs is missing throws, receivers are dropping passes, and there’s been way too many fumbles, turnovers and penalties.

"If you're Butch Jones, you need to re-evaluate practice habits throughout the week, re-evaluate if your team's getting enough rest and make look at the pre-game routine to just try and find something you can tweak or change. (The first half struggles) must to stop this week playing the No. 1 team in the nation."

Despite inconsistent play to begin games, Palmer likes Tennessee's chances in Knoxville. He says the outcome may fall on the shoulders of Dobbs, who received some initial Heisman buzz prior to last week's game against the Aggies.

“Even after losing to Texas A&M, I still think Tennessee has best chance to beat Alabama," Palmer said. "They have the talent to win that game at home. And they got have to start fast. I think this could be a career-defining game for Joshua Dobbs. It won't be easy and he’ll have to throw into small windows down the field, but he’s got a lot of help. Jalen Hurd's a good inside runner and Alvin Kamara outside.

"The game’s at Neyland Stadium, by far the most hostile environment Alabama freshman quarterback Jalen Hurts has had to play in, but man, Tennessee has got to start fast.”

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