Last year, Tennessee Football beat the Alabama Crimson Tide with a healthy dose of Hendon Hooker and Jalin Hyatt through the air. It’ll depend a lot more on ball control when the two teams face off in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday. Here are the five Vols who will be key to beating Nick Saban at his own game this weekend.
5. Elijah Herring
Aaron Beasley is the playmaker at linebacker, but against Alabama, the middle linebacker will be key. With Keenan Pili out, Elijah Herring has gotten better the past few weeks. He’ll have a major test on Saturday given Jalen Milroe’s mobility, the first time all year a mobile quarterback has actually faced UT.
4. Jaylen Wright
Right now, there’s no greater weapon on offense for UT. Although he wasn’t part of any touchdown drives last week, Jaylen Wright’s 136 yards on the ground was huge for Josh Heupel’s team being able to control the clock and beat the Texas A&M Aggies with defense. Sure, Cooper Mays, Jabari Small and Javontez Spraggins are part of that run game, but Wright is the key.
3. Joe Milton III
Somehow, Tennessee Football beat Texas A&M with Joe Milton III throwing for just 100 yards. This year, they are finding ways to win in spite of him, but at some point, he’s going to have to make a play when necessary. There’s no way the Vols can beat Alabama on the road with him playing like that, so they need more from him Saturday.
2. Wesley Walker
Out of nowhere, Alabama has become a team that relies solely on the deep ball. They are 97th nationally in passes of 10 yards or more. However, they are fifth nationally in passes that go 40 yards or more. This offense is all about running and taking the deep shot. Wesley Walker has been key to stopping both this year, so he’ll be crucial at safety.
1. James Pearce Jr.
Here’s the biggest mismatch favoring Tennessee Football. Alabama is no. 126 in sacks allowed per game at 4.43 despite being only no. 124 in pass attempts per game at 23.1. They have been sacked on 16 percent of passes, next to last. James Pearce Jr., meanwhile, is a star and the anchor of a unit that’s fourth in the nation in sacks per game. If he balls out, UT wins.
