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Alabama could have quarterback Bryce Younger out there when the No. 3 Crimson Tide returns to Rocky High to fulfill No. 6 Tennessee. Younger, who missed final week’s win vs. Texas A&M with a sprained shoulder is “anticipated to begin” vs. the Vols, ESPN’s Pete Thamel said Saturday morning on “College GameDay”. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner will play for the Crimson Tide if all goes nicely in pregame warmups, Alabama coach Nick Saban informed CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd on Friday.
With or with out Younger, this version of the “Third Saturday in October” rivalry sport is far completely different than these of the final decade-and-a-half, nevertheless. Each groups will enter the matchup undefeated for the primary time since 1989, and it is solely the third time in the course of the Volunteers’ 15-game dropping streak to the Crimson Tide that they’ve even been ranked on the time of kickoff.
The Crimson Tide are recent off of their greatest scare of the season, a 24-20 win over Texas A&M final week that ended with the Aggies’ potential game-winning go from the 2-yard line falling incomplete. The Volunteers are using excessive after dominating then-No. 25 LSU 40-13 in Demise Valley to arrange what shall be a wild scene in Knoxville, Tennessee.
What do you have to count on on Saturday afternoon? Let’s preview the SEC on CBS Recreation of the Week and make picks straight up and towards the unfold.
Alabama vs. Tennessee: Must know
“Bryce Young watch” continues: Saban mentioned earlier this week he is “hopeful” that Younger, his star quarterback and the reigning Heisman winner, can take the sphere after lacking final weekend’s sport with a sprained shoulder. Now it seems Saban may get his want after he informed Dodd that Younger has made a substantial quantity of progress this week and can try and play vs. the Vols if everything goes well in pregame workouts.
If he is not cleared, it’s going to be redshirt freshman Jalen Milroe who takes the snaps for one more sport. Milroe threw three landing go final weekend but in addition fumbled twice and tossed one interception. Saban wasn’t precisely thrilled with Milroe’s efficiency.
Anxiousness at residence vs. an unranked opponent is far completely different than nervousness on the highway in entrance of greater than 100,000 followers towards the No. 6 group within the nation. If Younger cannot go, or even when he is not 100%, Alabama’s outlook will change dramatically.
Tillman again?: Tennessee’s offense ranks seventh within the nation in passing at 340.4 yards per sport, and lots of that has been carried out with out its greatest receiver. Cedric Tillman had “tight rope” ankle surgical procedure in September after simply three video games, however the senior entered the season as quarterback Hendon Hooker’s prime goal. He racked up 1,081 yards and 12 touchdowns, and will re-join Jalin Hyatt and Bru McCoy in what would be the most problem passing assault that Alabama’s secondary has confronted all 12 months.
“Cedric’s doing good,” Heupel said Monday. “That is a part of the rationale why he had the surgical procedure, is to attempt to be again for this one. He is persevering with to progress over the weekend, so we’ll monitor him. On the finish of the day, like I mentioned final week, our medical group and Cedric will make the correct choice for him, now and sooner or later, too.”
Alabama’s greatest protection towards this crew will seemingly be a ferocious go rush led by EDGE Will Anderson Jr.
How do you cease Jahmyr Gibbs?: The star working again for the Crimson Tide has emerged as the point of interest of the offense after Younger’s harm. He rushed for 206 yards (together with two carries of 70 or extra yards) within the win over Arkansas and 154 extra final week towards the Aggies. Whether or not Younger or Milroe will get the carries, it is crucial that Tennessee stops him with a view to give itself an opportunity.
“He is explosive, so you realize they’ll attempt to discover methods to get the ball in his arms,” Heupel mentioned. “Within the run sport, you’re greatest to not let him get began. If he does, he has the power to take it the gap. He has good imaginative and prescient and tempo behind the road of scrimmage. When he sees a gap, he is ready to hit it. He does a very good job of constructing folks miss, too. He need to bottle him up within the run sport, after which once they use him within the go sport too, you’ve got to do a fantastic job at taking him away and matching him out.”
Tennessee has given up simply 2.79 yards per carry and 89.2 yards per sport on the bottom. It’s going to be strength-on-strength on Rocky High this weekend.
Methods to watch Alabama vs. Tennessee stay
Date: Saturday, Oct. 15 | Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Neyland Stadium — Knoxville, Tennessee
TV: CBS | Stay stream: CBSSports.com, CBS Sports App (Free)
Alabama vs. Tennessee prediction, picks
Featured Recreation | Tennessee Volunteers vs. Alabama Crimson Tide
Take Tennessee and the factors, however you may wish to think about a “cash line sprinkle” on this one. Even when Younger performs, it is unlikely that he shall be 100%. If Alabama’s offense bogs down, or even when it has just some empty possessions, the Vols could have an opportunity to win this one outright. That’s precisely what I feel will occur. Hooker will make an enormous Heisman Trophy assertion in what would be the greatest win for Tennessee in a technology. Prediction: Tennessee (+7.5)
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