After Tennessee's 45-point outburst against Georgia, its most optimistic fans might have wondered, "Has the offense turned the corner?"
The question would be worthy of debate if the schedule had been laid out differently, and last week's open date had led to any other opponent except Alabama.
All Alabama's defense gives you are excuses.
Your quarterback threw four interceptions? Yeah, but it was against Alabama.
You had one first down in the first half? Yeah, but it was against Alabama.
You had 1 yard rushing? Yeah, but it was against Alabama.
Your offense's best excuse is your quarterback's worst nightmare.
Alabama leads the nation in total defense and most quarterbacks' Saturdays ruined.
Is UT quarterback Jonathan Crompton next?
You decide after reviewing Alabama's track record. Here's how quarterbacks from Alabama's five BCS opponents have fared:
n Tyrod Taylor of Virginia Tech: nine completions in 20 attempts for 91 yards.
n Ryan Mallett of Arkansas: 12 completions in 35 attempts for 160 yards.
n Mike Hartline of Kentucky: 17 completions in 31 attempts for 168 yards and three interceptions.
n Jevan Snead of Ole Miss: 11 completions in 34 attempts for 140 yards and four interceptions.
n Stephen Garcia of South Carolina: 20 completions in 46 attempts for 214 yards and one interception, which was returned for a touchdown.
Taylor ranks sixth nationally in passing efficiency, and Mallett ranks 12th in passing yards per game. But you couldn't tell it by how they fared against Alabama.
This is nothing new. Coach Nick Saban has been skewing quarterbacks' stats for years.
You saw it first with his national championship team at LSU. You saw it again with the defense he left his successor Les Miles, who won another national championship.
Now you have seen it at Alabama, where Saban's third team - like his second - is contending for a national championship. And the defense is again leading the way.
It's not just Saban's talent or myriad of blitzes, which seemingly come from every position and angle. It's how the players execute those schemes.
In Year 3 of Sabama, a defense that starts seven seniors seems in complete command of the system, and opposing offenses as well. Changes in personnel haven't changed the results.
The loss of veteran safety Rashad Johnson was a concern in preseason. Enter Mark Barron, a 6-foot-2, 215-pound sophomore who leads the SEC in passes defended, is tied for first in interceptions and ranks second on his team in tackles.
Linebacker Dont'a Hightower was a prominent member of Alabama's defense until he suffered a season-ending knee injury in the fourth game.
The loss would have left a huge hole in some defenses. Not Alabama's.
Since losing Hightower, the Tide has allowed only two touchdowns, both scored by Kentucky after it trailed 31-6. In the same three games, Alabama has forced 11 turnovers.
The Tide played Saturday without starting cornerback Javier Arenas, who suffered a rib injury in practice last week. His replacement, Marquis Johnson, broke up three passes in the end zone.
It has been that kind of season for Alabama's defense, which - attrition aside - has looked remarkably similar from one week to the next. So have the opposing quarterbacks.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 39
the10sevol writes:
gruden just now on mnf (quoting roughly):
"if you run a 3-4, you're not going to have that physical presence in the middle."
wish i could believe that saturday, but i don't. clk will have to game plan his buttocks off this week. and i think he will.
GBO
TommyJack writes:
Does Adams really have a plastic statue of Paul Finebaum on his dash?
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Get 'um Vols.
Think UTAH or La Monroe.
Forget Wyoming and UCLA.
CoverOrange writes:
If by "dash" you mean "pants" then yeah. jk
volcycle writes:
Excuse for bama.... "Yeah, but it was Tennessee. He threw to 8 different players. How are you supposed to cover 8 different receivers, tight ends, and running backs?"
smashmouth98 writes:
the more important stat would be rushing yds. If the RB can take some pressure of the QB we can have success. Let Montario & BB run, run, run.
BamaCLT writes:
You've got a better chance of winning the lottery and getting struck by lightning, while a monkey flies out of your (rhymes with pass)... all in one sitting. There's absolutely zero probability statistically that Crompton can handle the business end of McClain, Anders, Barron, Arenas, Upshaw, Washington, Cody, Harris, Johnson, Reamer, Jackson, Chapman, Dareus, and whoever else gets up off the pine to lay the wood.
Honestly, I understand team loyalty (DuBose, Francione, Price, Shula), and I understand what it's like to be down. Well, right now you're down and there's not much you can do about it except hope that Monte puts a muzzle on junior and takes the reins.
If McElroy comes out of his slump and finds Peek, Maze, Hanks, or Jones, you'll be facing 3rd on the depth chart before the end of the 3rd quarter. If your line can't find a way to stop Ingram, Upchurch, or the Manchild (Trent Richardson), then your defense will be sucking wind before the end of the half.
I hope it's a good game, but I don't think it will be. Practicing the fundamentals will be the focus all week in Tuscaloosa. I just don't think your young coach understands what it is to play in this league. Mal Moore, the UA AD, would have pimp slapped the taste out of Saban's mouth if he openly and publicly admitted that 'he didn't know the tradition of the school or care.' Outside of excessive crying and snitching for being outbid on Albert Means, the Great Pumpkin knew the schools history at least.
ROLL TIDE! Alabama 38, UT 9
volpreacher writes:
You keep believing that and hope that it comes true. No way Alabubba puts 38 on UT. You're scared like the rest of the bubba boys. You know it's going to be close. You are just trying to convince yourself otherwise.
volcycle writes:
38-9? REALLY..? You haven't watched too many Tennessee football games this year have you? Get your notebook out, you're getting ready to go to school....
jhayes0926#638474 writes:
I guess this article just says that if Crompton passes for 250 yds with only 1 interception, then he is better qb than Snead, Mallett, or Garcia. The second best qb in the SEC maybe?
OrangePride writes:
If Bama can make Ryan Mallet look bad (and they did), then the VOLS with JC are going to have to be able to run the ball well enough to reduce the pressure on JC to have to come up with too many big plays. This is a bigger test for the O line than any they may have seen this year...and that's saying something. CLK will clearly have to outdo himself on the gameplan to keep JC in the game. The D will also have to keep the score low if the VOLS are to stay in this game....a shoot-out will highly favor Alabama. Whatever deficiencies the Tide has had this year, they have found ways to cover them. They're a great team, so let's hope the BIG ORANGE can have one of those days where everyone is making plays. GO VOLS!
TommyJack writes:
got it
xvolx writes:
I don't see our Cody blocking their Cody.
kabulvol writes:
No way Bama scores 38 on us. I think we are due for a big upset. Everything's gotta click just right but it could happen. Either way it goes, it will be a low scoring affair. I am guessing something like no more than 35 combined points being scored. So, let's make it 17-14.
wags32 writes:
Kiffin said he did not know the tradition at Tennessee! He never said he did not care you added words to his mouth. Now apologize for your ignorance!
leedsvol2007 writes:
In my mind the key questions are on offense can we control their pass rush, will we be able to run the football, and will Crompton be patient.
On defense can we slow Ingram, confuse McElroy, an take away Jones.
On paper Alabama's 3 man front on defense is a big mismatch for us. Our line is smallish particularly at center. That match-up and how we are able to handle it will go a long way in determining how well we are able to do offensively.
The Bama games that I have watched have quarterbacks running away from the pass rush forcing them into bad decisions.
Offensively everyone knows how dangerous Jones is and what a tough inside runner Ingram is. This leaves their other receivers open and if you load the box you had better have a corner that is able to handle Jones.
Crompton has got to be patient and throw the ball away if a play is not there. And Hardesty/Brown have got to get enough positive yardage to scare Bama from an all out pass rush
If we can do this we will be in the game with a chance to win at the end. (Not to mention we have to play well on special teams).
GoVols!
10volunteers98 writes:
Thanks,Adams.We can always count on you to build the Vols up before a big game.You seem to enjoy being a dark cloud.We wish you would go away.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
They have no one like Crompton.
On his good days or bad days.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Great summary. I hope the Vols are working on screens, draws, and traps for this game, since I don't think a power running game is going to work Saturday. Maybe if we can get them running side to side on defense, we can create some gaps to run through and slow down the pass rush. If we have success with it, maybe we can tire out their big D-linemen a little bit.
On defense, I think we may have to take a few more risks than usual with blitzes and such to try to get them playing from behind the chains. They run better than they pass, so we need to try to get them into some 3d-and-longs; if they are only having to convert 3d-and-2 all day, we will get killed.
Every member of the special teams will have to play the game of their lives. If Arenas is healthy, ST play is Bama's biggest advantage over us. We absolutely have to have at least a draw in ST play if we are to have a chance Saturday.
All that said, I feel pretty good about our chances. All the pressure is on Bama to prove before their home crowd and a national TV audience that they are the best team in the country. There should be relatively little pressure of expectations on the Vols. If we can avoid turnovers and keep Bama's return game in check, we just could sneak out with a win.
VolinCalif writes:
Just maybe a dark cloud is what we need this sat. Making the ball hard to handle could be in our favor. No quest. about it Bama is Good and are going to bring it right at us. We will know what this team is really made of after this Sat. Actually I think Fl is a great team, just no where near the team of the preseason spectacular image. We have taken it to Bama a time or two, so it is doable. And for the Bama fans, The bear never beat the General. We have a new leader, What is his rank, We'll see soon enough. It'll be a game I think Bama knows we are also coming to play.
Not to offer hope, but Fl still has Two games to play in the SECE. They'll lose to GA. and Dear Steve could well put it to UM and Fl. SC is not that bad of a team and SS is a better coach than UM. SS started with nothing at both Fl and SC.
But for Bama, it's a long shot but stranger things have happened. Go Vols clean their plow.
CrankE writes:
38-9? Oh please don't hurt us!!!! Stuff that. You get the same message the Gatrolls got. Serve it up...if you can.
A free bonus for ya; Serve it up, WHILE you can. Tennessee's days of blundering around are not beginning, they're coming to an end.
tdforvols writes:
Bama could only put up 20 points against the Gamecock defense. The Vol defense is better than South Carolina's. Hold the Tide to 14-17 points and the Vols have an excellent chance to pull off the upset.
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Seems like Bama fans should be less worried about what UT and Kiffin are doing and more concerned about Bama players selling those useless books and Bama alum getting got cheating. Again.
BrassMonkey writes:
If Bama makes good QB's look bad then one could reason that they will make bad QB's look good. JC stands for Jonathon Crompton not Jesus Christ. He is at best average at worst middle school. Let's hope he plays average.
Ironcity writes:
Has Bama faced a power running attack yet? Every team they have seen runs some sort of option/spread. I am just not sold that we can't run the ball. It will be tough to run on Cody but we can trap him. Alabama will be flat after two big games. Hopefully UT can take advantage. I still don't think Crompton's up to the task but I didn't think he was up to it against UGA
and look what happened.
murrayvol writes:
Well played. :)
murrayvol writes:
JC will be oblivious to the pressure. Just watch.
murrayvol writes:
After all that JC has gone through in the past year and a half, playing @ Alabama will be a walk in the park.
murrayvol writes:
No individual can block Cody. You can only hope to influence him....a little.
ermsports#220184 writes:
Bama fan here. I'll start by saying I hate UT mainly because of Fulmer and am no fan of Kiffin - much like most of you hate Saban. But I can, like most of you, be objective - so here goes.
UT's margin for error is slim. If Crompton throws picks, Bama wins and it could get ugly. If McElroy plays like he did the first 5 games, same thing. But, if he plays like he did last week it could be close.
Daddy Kiffin is fantastic but the problem is schemes don't work against a team that mainly tries to line it up and run it down your throat - either you can stop it or you can't - and nobody has been able to this year.
Don't like Lane but I do appreciate what he's trying to do there. You can spread it out all you want but you win in the SEC by being physical on defense and running the ball. Auburn's offense is a gimmick. Same with Arkansas and Georgia. And Meyer's phooey won't work a damm once Tebow is gone next year.
Ingram, Richardson, Hardesty & Brown - WOW!! The future looks bright in the backfield for both of these teams.
Am also looking forward to seeing two of the best defenders in AMERICA go at it in McClain & Berry. I hope there's another Tebow/Berry moment only with Ingram this week - that will be worth the price of admission.
I expect a close game for a while but I honestly think that Bama's depth will win out in the end, at least for this year. But I think the old rivalry isn't far away - when both teams are in the Top 10.
arlvol writes:
Good post but remember the Utah Utes?? They had 2* and 3* depth at every position and whipped your squad last year. I'm not saying that is going to happen this year, however, I would forget the talent/depth angle and be more focused on who can handle an all out war for 4 quarters!
SignalMtnVol writes:
Their Cody is a fat slug. You don't have to block him, since he's only there to clog the middle, like the cholesterol does his arteries, and force the runner to the outside to the actual athletes. Has he even made A solo tackle in his career?
QB_10 (Inactive) writes:
John, I agree this Alabama has won games in a variety of ways, but the one thing they have done better then anyone is make QB look bad, as opposed to the last team UT played, Georgia which has made QB look good.i.e. record days for Mallett, Garcia and Crompton. If Crompton is hurried, made to scramble and cannot roll out it will be interesting to see what CLK pulls out of his hat- a rabbit or an elephant
volnnwbama writes:
sounds like he is a member of the s.o.s.(sons of
saban)
xvolx writes:
Come on Adams. Bama not that great. They squeaked by Va. Tech, Miss. and S. Carolina. The Vols can beat them if officials other than SEC show up. Eight officials can't see a piece of white tape on the ground and Spurrier can see it from the sidelines. Not buying that.
pm01 writes:
BAMACLT-
"I don't know all the Tennessee history and tradition with all the matchups, nor do I ever intend do," Kiffin said. "There's a lot of great teams in this conference, but I told (players) that, to me, this is the biggest matchup. To me, because of what we need to do in recruiting, this will be the biggest matchup for this staff and for our team."
If you're going to quote somebody... how about actually QUOTING them.
I guess you missed the point. It sounds to me like Kiffin isn't all caught up in how many times Tennessee beat Bama, Georgia and Florida (or the other way around), where UT could and couldn't recruit in the past, etc. That's just fodder for sports reporters and people living in the past.
Kiffin can only worry about what's happening now and what he can do about it. History is just that... history. If Kiffin can put UT in the "W" column by not living in the past and focusing on the now... I'm all aboard.
Welcome to the Kiffin era.
hueypilot writes:
Oh I see. You "hate" Fulmer because he called you out for cheating and what do you know it stuck. You're not miffed about cheating just getting caught. Not sure you've got your moral compass calibrated. Remain unconvinced about Bama's "superiority" We'll see on Saturday. And given the fact that Mal Moore hired, Dubose, Franchione, Price and Shula, how is it he still works or even lives in Tuscaloosa?
jack_2222#231746 writes:
Bama players selling all their books again this week to get up some cash to bet on the game?
Shake_Bake writes:
Ok...so you have more depth, more talent, and a better team for now. But remember college football is a funny game. It's unpredictable, strange things can happen! Every weekend there are upsets. The "better team" gets beat by the underdog.
Tennessee will play with pride. You may win,...but it won't be a blowout!
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