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Thoughts on Tennessee
Posted on 10/15/26 at 8:46 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 8:46 pm
I am concerned about UTjr this weekend.
I think this is the toughest game Bama has left.
CKW has defended them extremely well
the past 2 seasons (forced 3 turnovers and a shutout at halftime last time they were in Knoxsville).
But with T Green out (losing Beaman for the season was also a major blow), and Pierre/Thompkins getting worn down the longer the game goes is not ideal.
Last year Pierre had 3 sacks in the game, but he was only playing 50% of the snaps, and was brought in on passing situations.
Heupel will take half a dozen vertical shots at #5….
That has led directly to 3 scores against FSU and 10 points vs Georgia (3rd and 17 and 3rd and 22 and he mugged the WR both times instead of looking back to find the ball).
After the UK game, people were comparing this years defense to 2016. I don’t think their performance vs MSU (6 sacks), USCe (3 sacks, 4 turnovers), and then the 20 points they allowed to Georgia should change people’s perspective that drastically.
They were 4th in the country vs the run going into the UGA game and held them to just 49 yards in the 1st half on the ground.
What has really affected the defense are the losses of J Hill, Zulu, and T Green, along with sticking with #5 at CB.
Thompkins and Pierre are having to play every snap of the game, and is the reason the pass rush (when only rushing 4) hasn’t been the same.
There were plays vs Georgia with #90 at the 3-tech (Nose or Shade he’s solid). 94 as the 5-tech (to give Thompkins a two play “rest”) and #14 as the Edge….they got GASHED all 3 of the 4 times that combo was on the field, and the other one was a play where they created zero push/pressure and Stockton had all day to throw.
The defense finished top10 in scoring D in year 1 and Top10 in Total D in year 2.
That’s the fewest points, least yards and most turnovers since the 2017 season.
Yes, the numbers aren’t great right now, but besides FSU they have played well enough to win and have created several turnovers (and scored 21 points of their own) in the others.
I am hoping they will keep UTjr in that 20-24 point range however they have to hang on to do it, and also force a couple turnovers.
Offensively, I just wish Grubb would avoid “Empty” sets. They inevitably end with opponents bringing 6-man pressures that result in incompletions/Sacks/Intentional Grounding.
It directly took them out of FG range twice vs Georgia with major losses both times.
It’s a drive killer, and Grubb seems to get in Empty when the running game is working very well and a short PA pass or getting KR on the edge would be much better options imo than getting in Empty and 5-step dropping.
Just get out of Knoxsville with the “W”.
Who cares what the score is or what it looks like. Just win
I think this is the toughest game Bama has left.
CKW has defended them extremely well
the past 2 seasons (forced 3 turnovers and a shutout at halftime last time they were in Knoxsville).
But with T Green out (losing Beaman for the season was also a major blow), and Pierre/Thompkins getting worn down the longer the game goes is not ideal.
Last year Pierre had 3 sacks in the game, but he was only playing 50% of the snaps, and was brought in on passing situations.
Heupel will take half a dozen vertical shots at #5….
That has led directly to 3 scores against FSU and 10 points vs Georgia (3rd and 17 and 3rd and 22 and he mugged the WR both times instead of looking back to find the ball).
After the UK game, people were comparing this years defense to 2016. I don’t think their performance vs MSU (6 sacks), USCe (3 sacks, 4 turnovers), and then the 20 points they allowed to Georgia should change people’s perspective that drastically.
They were 4th in the country vs the run going into the UGA game and held them to just 49 yards in the 1st half on the ground.
What has really affected the defense are the losses of J Hill, Zulu, and T Green, along with sticking with #5 at CB.
Thompkins and Pierre are having to play every snap of the game, and is the reason the pass rush (when only rushing 4) hasn’t been the same.
There were plays vs Georgia with #90 at the 3-tech (Nose or Shade he’s solid). 94 as the 5-tech (to give Thompkins a two play “rest”) and #14 as the Edge….they got GASHED all 3 of the 4 times that combo was on the field, and the other one was a play where they created zero push/pressure and Stockton had all day to throw.
The defense finished top10 in scoring D in year 1 and Top10 in Total D in year 2.
That’s the fewest points, least yards and most turnovers since the 2017 season.
Yes, the numbers aren’t great right now, but besides FSU they have played well enough to win and have created several turnovers (and scored 21 points of their own) in the others.
I am hoping they will keep UTjr in that 20-24 point range however they have to hang on to do it, and also force a couple turnovers.
Offensively, I just wish Grubb would avoid “Empty” sets. They inevitably end with opponents bringing 6-man pressures that result in incompletions/Sacks/Intentional Grounding.
It directly took them out of FG range twice vs Georgia with major losses both times.
It’s a drive killer, and Grubb seems to get in Empty when the running game is working very well and a short PA pass or getting KR on the edge would be much better options imo than getting in Empty and 5-step dropping.
Just get out of Knoxsville with the “W”.
Who cares what the score is or what it looks like. Just win
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 8:49 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:24 pm to Cover1Key
I'm not worried at all. They run well but are bad protecting the QB. I'm also sure we have worked all week on filling in the hole #99 absence is leaving.
I see us making them one dimensional after adjusting to their new gameplan and depending on QB play we will either run away early or wear them out by end of 3rd quarter.
I see us making them one dimensional after adjusting to their new gameplan and depending on QB play we will either run away early or wear them out by end of 3rd quarter.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:29 pm to Cover1Key
Here is my keys:
Grubb, always a wild card but doing pretty good this year.
How does Russell respond.
Do teams start defending Russell like Georgia did?
We have some important players injured but so does Tenn.
Bottomline, Tenn is pretty bad this year. A really bad auburn team almost won. Just because its at Tenn, Bama 35 Tenn 24
Grubb, always a wild card but doing pretty good this year.
How does Russell respond.
Do teams start defending Russell like Georgia did?
We have some important players injured but so does Tenn.
Bottomline, Tenn is pretty bad this year. A really bad auburn team almost won. Just because its at Tenn, Bama 35 Tenn 24
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 9:44 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:50 pm to Shocco
UT’s pass rush is good. They have a 1st rounder on Bama’s LT’s side. Hopefully Loyd is up to the challenge.
I wonder if UT will consider moving him to RT side considering the injury situation there….they moved him around against Arkansas.
I agree about Grubb. I think every Bama fan feels that way. You just never know when he’s going to frick it up and ruin a good drive.
I wish he woukd just stay in 11 or 12 personnel and use PA (keeping 6 in protection instead of releasing the Back the majority of the time) and also get KR out on the edge…..he’s unbelievable at making throws/decisions on the run and also taking off with his feet if no one is open.
KR makes such crazy good throws to often covered WRs. I just don’t understand why you would allow him to be under pressure so frequently as opposed to 6 man protecting (occasional 7 man protections) the way Georgia does with Stockton.
I look away when they line up in Empty.
When they are in 12 personnel and have Brown or Crowell on the field, they are very difficult to stop.
Hopefully they can sustain drives and keep #0 and #1 fresh on the defensive side of the ball.
This game will be a war imo
I wonder if UT will consider moving him to RT side considering the injury situation there….they moved him around against Arkansas.
I agree about Grubb. I think every Bama fan feels that way. You just never know when he’s going to frick it up and ruin a good drive.
I wish he woukd just stay in 11 or 12 personnel and use PA (keeping 6 in protection instead of releasing the Back the majority of the time) and also get KR out on the edge…..he’s unbelievable at making throws/decisions on the run and also taking off with his feet if no one is open.
KR makes such crazy good throws to often covered WRs. I just don’t understand why you would allow him to be under pressure so frequently as opposed to 6 man protecting (occasional 7 man protections) the way Georgia does with Stockton.
I look away when they line up in Empty.
When they are in 12 personnel and have Brown or Crowell on the field, they are very difficult to stop.
Hopefully they can sustain drives and keep #0 and #1 fresh on the defensive side of the ball.
This game will be a war imo
This post was edited on 10/15/26 at 9:53 pm
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:51 pm to Cover1Key
Sustained drives may be key.
Posted on 10/15/26 at 9:59 pm to LovetheLord
Yes, the Dline is too thin to hold up for 12 possessions imo.
They went from being able to put Simmons at the Shade, Thompkins at the 5, Green at the 4i and Pierre as the Edge/Stand-up, and then in passing situations when they were overwhelming teams, they would slide #1 inside to a 3-tech/DT and let #0 and either J Hill or Zulu come off the opposite Edge and it was NASTY.
I was hoping #14 could help there, but he was exploited by Georgia in the running game.
It’s almost like they are better off playing #0 and #1 on early downs/run downs and using X Griffin and J Hill in passing situations just to make sure they avoid a 2nd half like in the Georgia game where those guys are worn out and then you put Edrik Hill, K Henry and Faga on the field together and just get gashed repeatedly.
They went from being able to put Simmons at the Shade, Thompkins at the 5, Green at the 4i and Pierre as the Edge/Stand-up, and then in passing situations when they were overwhelming teams, they would slide #1 inside to a 3-tech/DT and let #0 and either J Hill or Zulu come off the opposite Edge and it was NASTY.
I was hoping #14 could help there, but he was exploited by Georgia in the running game.
It’s almost like they are better off playing #0 and #1 on early downs/run downs and using X Griffin and J Hill in passing situations just to make sure they avoid a 2nd half like in the Georgia game where those guys are worn out and then you put Edrik Hill, K Henry and Faga on the field together and just get gashed repeatedly.
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