Both teams are in the top 10 and have just one loss each, but somehow Tennessee Football against the Alabama Crimson Tide isn’t generating a ton of buzz. The Vols have a great chance of winning despite how ugly they have looked simply because they can cash in on how ugly Bama has looked. here are the five key UT players to watch for in the matchup.
5. Will Brooks
With Jalen Milroe’s dual-threat capabilities, staying at home is a given. However, what’s underrated in that is the opportunity out there to come down with interceptions when he does throw the ball. That puts Will Brooks in the perfect position to make plays. He’s the best at staying in position and can catch quarterbacks off-guard. The walk-on needs to come down with a pick.
4. Nico Iamaleava
Quarterbacks don’t have to be great to hang with Bama. Lanoris Sellers certainly wasn’t. However, they need to be able to play to their strengths, and Nico Iamaleava clearly hasn’t been able to do that for Tennessee Football so far this year. Could this finally be the game where he puts it all together? If anything, he’s got to use his legs in this one.
3. Jeremiah Telander
Keenan Pili’s season-ending injury is a blow to the Vols at linebacker, but that just means Jeremiah Telander will have to step up. Despite getting beat over the middle at times, Telander showed a lot of promise against the Florida Gators. Telander and Arion Carter both will have a lot of work to do, but Milroe’s mobility puts the pressure on Telander to stay home.
2. James Pearce Jr.
Alabama has given up 12 sacks this year and has one of the 20 worst sack percentages in college football. Lots of Tennessee Football players have a chance to make a play as a result, but James Pearce Jr. is obviously the star of players who could get sacks. Given all the other ways he blows up plays, he just obviously belongs here.
1. Dylan Sampson
Just using your weapons is what’s crucial to beating the Tide, and Tennessee Football certainly has a key one in Dylan Sampson. The Vols running back has 15 touchdowns on the year and should be in contention for the Heisman Trophy. If he can go for 200 all-purpose yards in this game, that might just put him in the conversation.
