Tennessee may not look like a College Football Playoff contender. However, the Vols are still in position to make the inaugural 12-team postseason no matter the aesthetics that have led to their 5-1 record.
The Vols currently have a 52-percent chance of making the College Football Playoff based on ESPN’s projections. However, the Vols certainly control their destiny. If they were to finish the season at 11-1, they’d make the College Football Playoff.
That begins with the No. 11 Vols hosting No. 7 Alabama on Saturday at 3:30 EST in Neyland Stadium.
Here are four reasons why the Vols can beat the Crimson Tide:
Tennessee’s defensive front vs. Bama’s offensive line
Tennessee ranks just 11th in the SEC with two sacks per game. However, anyone that has watched the Vols knows that Tennessee is very adept at making plays behind the line of scrimmage. They just haven’t always gotten to the quarterback. Moreover, the Vols are second in the SEC in tackles for a loss with just over eight per contest. That could put Bama in a bind more times than not if they get behind the chains.
Alabama is eighth in the SEC, allowing two sacks per game. The Crimson Tide is also allowing 5.5 tackles for a loss, which is 10th best in the SEC. This looks like a mismatch in favor of the Vols.
Defense overall
Tennessee’s defense is second in the SEC with 250 yards allowed per game. The Vols are fourth in the SEC with 170 passing yards allowed per game and second in the nation in rushing defense with 80 yards allowed per game.
By comparison, Alabama ranks 14th in rushing defense. Considering the Vols rely on running the football – or at least should – Tennessee should be able to move the ball on the ground consistently.
Quarterback play
This could end up being a wash by the end of the game as neither team has had exceptional quarterback play this season. However, I’m more comfortable with Tennessee redshirt freshman Nico Iamaleava than junior Jalen Milroe – just barely.
Iamaleava has made plenty of mistakes this season, but Milroe seems to unravel in the face of adversity. He threw two interceptions last week in a lackluster 27-25 win over South Carolina in Tuscaloosa. Milroe also threw a pass from his own endzone that was ruled intentional grounding and resulted in a safety. Much like Iamaleava, Milroe is still finding his way in first-year Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer’s system. However, Milroe has to make plays for Bama to be effective. Iamaleava just has to protect the ball.
No fear
There have been times, recently in fact, that Tennessee had a mental obstacle to overcome to beat Alabama. Well, the Vols overcame that in 2022 when Tennessee beat the Crimson Tide for the first time in 15 years.
The Vols looked more than ready to play last year before former Alabama coach Nick Saban made some halftime adjustments that undermined the Vols’ chances in the second half. The Vols led 20-7 at halftime in Tuscaloosa, which is proof they weren’t scared of the Crimson Tide.
