ONCOMING MACK TRUCK

The game tapes show Alabama's rushing prowess, the statistics back it up, and the Tide's players proudly trumpet their ability to run the football.

"Sometimes,'' Alabama quarterback Spencer Pennington told The Birmingham News, "you could put a Mack truck between those holes (against Southern Miss).''

The No. 13 Vols (5-1, 3-1 SEC) hope to avoid getting run over when they host Alabama (5-2, 2-2) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Neyland Stadium.

Tennessee defensive coordinator John Chavis had a long established tradition of bringing a rocky stop to opponents' running games before these past few years.

Chavis' defense ranked in the nation's top 15 against the run his first eight years on the job, but in 2002 it dipped to 33rd and last year it was 43rd. The Vols rank 26th in the nation in rushing defense heading into Saturday's contest.

"The area we've made our biggest stride this season has been in our run support,'' Chavis said. "But Alabama is really good up front and we'll be tested. From the standpoint of running the football, this is as good of an offense as I've seen in years.''

The Tide ranks first in the SEC and ninth in the nation with 243.29 yards per game, but it's just 114th in the country in passing with 126.3 yards per game. Alabama has run the ball 321 times, while attempting 137 passes.

"The biggest thing, they have the attitude where they say, 'We can't pass the football, we're not going to hide it, we're going to run the football and can you stop it?' '' UT linebacker Kevin Burnett said. "We have to be ready to play power football. This is going to be a football game - it's not going to be a track meet.''

As predictable as it might seem that Alabama will enter Neyland Stadium intent on running the ball, it's not so obvious how the Tide will do it.

"They find ways to run the same plays out of many formations and motions,'' UT defensive end Jason Hall explained. "This is the most multiple and physical run team we've faced.''

The experienced and physical nature of Alabama's offensive line gives it an advantage over an undersized, and inexperienced Tennessee front four.

The Tide's offensive front outweighs the Vols' front seven by an average of 35 pounds per man (286-251).

UT is expected to be without 305-pounder Jesse Mahelona, who led the SEC in tackles-for-loss before suffering a sprained knee Saturday against Ole Miss.

Mahelona's replacement in the starting lineup will be 265-pound sophomore Turk McBride, a converted end making his first start.

In addition to the drop off up front, a key cog in UT's run support, strong safety Brandon Johnson, will be missing. Johnson was suspended indefinitely after firing a gun into the air early Monday morning.

"Alabama is going to try to run it down our throat,'' said UT's Jason Mitchell, who'll be making his fifth start at middle linebacker in place of preseason All-SEC selection Kevin Simon, who was lost for the year with a knee injury. "They make it a point that they're going to make this the most physical game you've played. We want to show we can be just as physical as they can.''

Chavis, as always, can only put his players in the best possible position to make plays. This week has been complex, as the Vols must be prepared for Alabama's multitude of shifts and motions.

Chavis knows better than anyone that one missed alignment or missed assignment could result in the Tide breaking off a long run.

"They always move the tight end around, or they'll use motion or bunch their receivers and then break back into their normal formation,'' Chavis said. "They make you move because they're trying to get you to change your (run) support. And then they're good enough that even when you do get lined up right, they can still get after you.

"Bottom line, we've got to line up and whip people one-on-one.''

Chavis said the Vols will use some different looks, too, shifting out of their standard 4-3 alignment into a 5-2 "Eagle'' look or a 6-2 "Bear.'' It's nothing Alabama hasn't seen before or won't be prepared for.

"This is going to be another big test for us,'' Hall said. "There are some big shoes to fill if Jesse is going to miss this game. The whole defensive line will have to step forward.

"The game will be won or lost in the offensive and defensive fronts.''