Tennessee at Alabama Matchups
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
UT UA UA UA UA UA UT UA UA
Tennessee offense vs. Alabama defense
QB Jonathan Crompton enters with confidence following the best performance of his career two weeks ago against Georgia. Coach Lane Kiffin did a nice job of putting Crompton in a position to succeed by using play-action and bootlegs to limit the pass rush and open bigger passing windows. Crompton responded with accuracy on the run and some big-time throws. That's the good news, but the bad news is that Alabama's defense will be far less forgiving than Georgia's struggling unit. Expect Nick Saban to focus on keeping Crompton bottled up because he tends to get anxious in the pocket and doesn't see the entire field very well behind his offensive line. Mammoth Crimson Tide NT Terrence Cody (6-5, 354) can make the situation even worse for Crompton by getting his hands up while bull-rushing up the middle.
It will be tough sledding for RBs Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown. The Volunteers have been able to get push against some smaller defensive fronts --including talented-but-undersized Florida -- but have struggled at times versus bigger, more physical groups. The Crimson Tide defensive line is massive, strong and disciplined, making it one of the tougher groups in the nation to budge. Cody is a stud in the middle and will require almost constant double-team attention, and Brandon Deaderick has been playing the best football of his career recently after injury limited him early in the season. Making matters worse for the Vols' running game, behind that stout defensive front is the nation's premier run-stuffing linebacker in Rolando McClain and his underrated cohort Cory Reamer.
The health of Alabama CB Javier Arenas (ribs) should not be overlooked. Arenas was a late scratch last week and his status for this game is uncertain. Arenas is the complete package: instinctive in coverage, impressive closing speed, fills hard off the edge in run support. Marquis Johnson filled in admirably but he's a potential weak link who could be exploited if Arenas is out this week. In addition, Arenas is one of the premier return men in the country. Sure, the Crimson Tide has a good backup plan with star WR Julio Jones returning punts and future star RB Trent Richardson handling most kickoffs, but Arenas is more explosive and reliable in both areas of the return game.
Key individual matchup
Alabama WR Julio Jones vs.
Tennessee CB Art Evans
Jones is can single-handedly get QB Greg McElroy out of a rut by making a few big plays against the Vols: coming down with a jump ball, making a tough catch in traffic, sneaking into soft spots in zone coverage, taking a 5-yard catch 50 yards to the house. Jones appears close enough to 100 percent physically to step up his game. This week he needs to do it against Evans and the zone- heavy Tennessee defense. Evans has good size but Jones is a better athlete and more physical, and Jones needs to use his craftiness diagnose coverage and find the open window for his quarterback to throw through. And Jones must to be better than Evans when the ball is in the air.
Florida offense versus Arkansas defense
Don't be surprised to see more of the Wildcat package this weekend with RB Mark Ingram as the triggerman. Ingram proved last week that he's capable of finding creases to attack when he gets the direct snap, and he is playing with passion right now and the more Ingram touches the ball the better at this point. He has outstanding vision and center of gravity, which allows him to exploit available cutback lanes for big gains. We saw Ingram fake some misdirection to Jones during Alabama's final touchdown drive last week, so don't be surprised if Jones gets more involved in the Wildcat game plan versus Tennessee.
Getting QB Greg McElroy off to a fast start is of the utmost importance. McElroy has lost his swagger after poor showings against Mississippi and South Carolina, including two interceptions on his first four attempts last week. He never recovered mentally from that disastrous start, and offensive coordinator Jim McElwain must get McElroy back on track with an early game plan that features screen passes, quick hitters on three- and five-step drops, and play-action passes that subdue the rush. On the flip side, Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin knows the situation and he's more than capable of exploiting the quarterback's shaken confidence.
It's difficult to get into a passing rhythm against the Volunteers because Kiffin throws so many different looks at an offense during the course of a game. The Vols will send seven to apply heat on the quarterback on one play, and then rush three and drop eight on the next snap. Kiffin is also doing a nice job of moving S Eric Berry around to maximize his versatility. Berry will be used in deep-middle coverage in a Cover 2 look, will match up man-to-man versus the slot receiver, cheat up as a fourth linebacker in run support and come screaming off the edge as a pass rusher. Every time McElroy drops back to pass he needs to be certain of Berry's whereabouts and avoid throwing in his direction.
Scouts' Edge
The quarterbacks are likely to struggle in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. McElroy has regressed in recent weeks and playing against Monte Kiffin's defense won't be the remedy. Crompton has shown signs of improvement recently but against mediocre competition at best. Look for McClain and company to make Crompton's trip to Tuscaloosa a nightmarish event, and for Alabama to be in control for four quarters even though the Crimson Tide might not pull away until late. It should also be noted that there's no love lost between Saban and Lane Kiffin. It won't get as much media hype as the Kiffin-Urban Meyer feud, but Saban was less than thrilled when Kiffin raided his coaching staff and hired away one of his top recruiters in Lance Thompson. Alabama lacks the offensive firepower to put up a big number on Tennessee but don't look for Saban to call off the dogs if the Tide has a lead late in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Crimson Tide 27, Volunteers 13
QB RB WR OL DL LB DB ST Coach
UT UA UA UA UA UA UT UA UA
Tennessee offense vs. Alabama defense
QB Jonathan Crompton enters with confidence following the best performance of his career two weeks ago against Georgia. Coach Lane Kiffin did a nice job of putting Crompton in a position to succeed by using play-action and bootlegs to limit the pass rush and open bigger passing windows. Crompton responded with accuracy on the run and some big-time throws. That's the good news, but the bad news is that Alabama's defense will be far less forgiving than Georgia's struggling unit. Expect Nick Saban to focus on keeping Crompton bottled up because he tends to get anxious in the pocket and doesn't see the entire field very well behind his offensive line. Mammoth Crimson Tide NT Terrence Cody (6-5, 354) can make the situation even worse for Crompton by getting his hands up while bull-rushing up the middle.
It will be tough sledding for RBs Montario Hardesty and Bryce Brown. The Volunteers have been able to get push against some smaller defensive fronts --including talented-but-undersized Florida -- but have struggled at times versus bigger, more physical groups. The Crimson Tide defensive line is massive, strong and disciplined, making it one of the tougher groups in the nation to budge. Cody is a stud in the middle and will require almost constant double-team attention, and Brandon Deaderick has been playing the best football of his career recently after injury limited him early in the season. Making matters worse for the Vols' running game, behind that stout defensive front is the nation's premier run-stuffing linebacker in Rolando McClain and his underrated cohort Cory Reamer.
The health of Alabama CB Javier Arenas (ribs) should not be overlooked. Arenas was a late scratch last week and his status for this game is uncertain. Arenas is the complete package: instinctive in coverage, impressive closing speed, fills hard off the edge in run support. Marquis Johnson filled in admirably but he's a potential weak link who could be exploited if Arenas is out this week. In addition, Arenas is one of the premier return men in the country. Sure, the Crimson Tide has a good backup plan with star WR Julio Jones returning punts and future star RB Trent Richardson handling most kickoffs, but Arenas is more explosive and reliable in both areas of the return game.
Key individual matchup
Alabama WR Julio Jones vs.
Tennessee CB Art Evans
Jones is can single-handedly get QB Greg McElroy out of a rut by making a few big plays against the Vols: coming down with a jump ball, making a tough catch in traffic, sneaking into soft spots in zone coverage, taking a 5-yard catch 50 yards to the house. Jones appears close enough to 100 percent physically to step up his game. This week he needs to do it against Evans and the zone- heavy Tennessee defense. Evans has good size but Jones is a better athlete and more physical, and Jones needs to use his craftiness diagnose coverage and find the open window for his quarterback to throw through. And Jones must to be better than Evans when the ball is in the air.
Florida offense versus Arkansas defense
Don't be surprised to see more of the Wildcat package this weekend with RB Mark Ingram as the triggerman. Ingram proved last week that he's capable of finding creases to attack when he gets the direct snap, and he is playing with passion right now and the more Ingram touches the ball the better at this point. He has outstanding vision and center of gravity, which allows him to exploit available cutback lanes for big gains. We saw Ingram fake some misdirection to Jones during Alabama's final touchdown drive last week, so don't be surprised if Jones gets more involved in the Wildcat game plan versus Tennessee.
Getting QB Greg McElroy off to a fast start is of the utmost importance. McElroy has lost his swagger after poor showings against Mississippi and South Carolina, including two interceptions on his first four attempts last week. He never recovered mentally from that disastrous start, and offensive coordinator Jim McElwain must get McElroy back on track with an early game plan that features screen passes, quick hitters on three- and five-step drops, and play-action passes that subdue the rush. On the flip side, Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin knows the situation and he's more than capable of exploiting the quarterback's shaken confidence.
It's difficult to get into a passing rhythm against the Volunteers because Kiffin throws so many different looks at an offense during the course of a game. The Vols will send seven to apply heat on the quarterback on one play, and then rush three and drop eight on the next snap. Kiffin is also doing a nice job of moving S Eric Berry around to maximize his versatility. Berry will be used in deep-middle coverage in a Cover 2 look, will match up man-to-man versus the slot receiver, cheat up as a fourth linebacker in run support and come screaming off the edge as a pass rusher. Every time McElroy drops back to pass he needs to be certain of Berry's whereabouts and avoid throwing in his direction.
Scouts' Edge
The quarterbacks are likely to struggle in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday. McElroy has regressed in recent weeks and playing against Monte Kiffin's defense won't be the remedy. Crompton has shown signs of improvement recently but against mediocre competition at best. Look for McClain and company to make Crompton's trip to Tuscaloosa a nightmarish event, and for Alabama to be in control for four quarters even though the Crimson Tide might not pull away until late. It should also be noted that there's no love lost between Saban and Lane Kiffin. It won't get as much media hype as the Kiffin-Urban Meyer feud, but Saban was less than thrilled when Kiffin raided his coaching staff and hired away one of his top recruiters in Lance Thompson. Alabama lacks the offensive firepower to put up a big number on Tennessee but don't look for Saban to call off the dogs if the Tide has a lead late in the fourth quarter.
Prediction: Crimson Tide 27, Volunteers 13
