Alabama Stats
Tennessee Stat Book
Event Details
- What: Tennesee vs. Alabama
- When: Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009, 3:30 p.m.
- Where: Bryant-Denny Stadium
- Cost: Not available
- Age limit: All ages
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If Tennessee puts the load on its running game today, the Vols will be defying the odds. Alabama’s defense has been an immovable force.
The Tide hasn’t allowed a touchdown the past two games against South Carolina and Ole Miss. And the statistics say rushing yardage comes tough against the Crimson Tide.
Through its past 21 games, Alabama has held 18 opponents to fewer than 100 yards rushing.
Attention Montario Hardesty — no running back has had a 100-yard day against the Tide since BenJarvus Green-Ellis of Ole Miss, only Oct. 13, 2007, a span of 26 games.
Alabama is allowing only 63.3 yards rushing per game in 2009, or 32 fewer than Florida, the next-best rush defense in the SEC.
UT coach Lane Kiffin is fully aware of the dilemma the Vols face. Kiffin points to 354-pound nose tackle Terrence Cody in the middle of Alabama’s 3-4 defensive front.
The 3-4, in fact, is one reason opponents have trouble cracking the century mark on the ground, Kiffin said. Most defenses operate out of a four-man front with three linebackers.
“It’s completely different than other people you play,’’ Kiffin said. “It’s going to be a big challenge.
“It’s always been hard for people to transfer that in one week of practice. It’s like playing the option (for a defense), because it’s so different by the techniques that you have to change what you do.’’
Kiffin compares Cody to NFL space-eater Ted Washington:
“Guys that are just unmovable. So this is one of those guys who is very tough to play.’’
The Vols have rushed for at least 151 yards in four of six games. They fell short against UCLA (115) and Florida (117).
McClain, Too: Tide linebacker Rolando McClain joins Cody as a midseason semifinalist for the Lombardi Award, an annual honor given to the top defensive lineman or linebacker.
McClain has been named to several midseason All-America lists. In fact, today the Vols face all three of The Sporting News’ first-team midseason All-America linebackers: Brandon Spikes of Florida, McClain and Eric Norwood of South Carolina.
Alabama and Florida have been two of the top defenses statistically all season.
“This defense is bigger,’’ Kiffin said. “Florida’s defense relies on speed. They’re more side-to-side.
“This is a big classical (Bill) Parcells, (Bill) Belichick, (Nick) Saban defense. They have the big nose tackle, the bigger linebackers. They’re going to attack your guards and play downhill.’’
Danielson Says: CBS analyst Gary Danielson confirmed Kiffin’s statement earlier this week that Alabama is a role model for any college program wishing to emulate the NFL.
“Alabama,’’ said Danielson, who will broadcast today’s game, “is the closest of all college football teams, and USC is second, to an NFL-style team.
“The way they recruit players is the way the NFL grades players. The way they set up their defense, the way they set up their offense, everything about the Alabama system is NFLish.’’
Danielson predicts a bright future for Kiffin and the Vols:
“They are recruiting tremendous players. They are having a great impact all over the country. I promise that two years from now, the 2011 season, Tennessee will be a major player in college football.’’
Finally, Danielson predicted that McClain and Tennessee’s Eric Berry will be the top two defensive players taken in the 2010 NFL draft.
No Reveiz: Tennessee elected not to include injured linebacker Nick Reveiz in the 70-man travel squad. Reveiz has continued to be an inspirational leader since suffering a season-ending knee injury last month, but Kiffin didn’t want to leave off an able-bodied player.
Injury Update: UT is generally healthy, with former starting guard Vlad Richard returning after a three-game absence. Cornerback Art Evans may be limited and could be replaced by Marsalous Johnson.
Receiver Quintin Hancock (ankle) hasn’t practiced all week.
Alabama says defensive back and return specialist Javier Arenas (sore ribs) will play today. He missed the South Carolina game last week.
Julio Jones returned punts last week against the Gamecocks.
No. 1, Déjà Vu: UT is believed to be the first team to play a No. 1-ranked team twice in the same season since 2000, when both Baylor and Texas Tech faced both Nebraska and Oklahoma.
In 1992, Arizona played Washington and Miami when both were No. 1.
Ticket Warning: Alabama issued a warning to beware of counterfeit tickets. Face value is $70, with the StubHub web site reporting sales of up to $400 per ticket.
Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.
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Comments » 18
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Seeing as how Bamma hasn't faced any team with a meaningful running game this year, I'm not too worried about this. Hardesty, Brown, and Oku are by far the deepest RB corps in the entire FBS. To be sure, Bamma is stacked at LB, but they have gone all year untested by a creative opponent with a depth of talent at the position. I think the real question will be if TN's Defense can contain Mark Ingram. South Carolina showed that Bama's QB can be contained and I trust CMK to put our defenders in the right positions to make plays and pressure the QB. At the end of the day, this game will be decided by a test of wills. Does UT have the willpower to impose it's style of play on the Tide? Can they play 4 quarters with a chip on their shoulder?
As Sun Tzu said, "The clever combatant imposes his will on the enemy, but does not allow the enemy's will to be imposed on him."
2407westTN_VOLSfan writes:
Speed will hopefully be the difference over SIZE. GO BIG ORANGE! We have nothing to lose since everone has picked Alabubber to win! They have everything to lose by our program winning and geting national recognization of how we have improved. I want us to be competitive and play smart with no penalities or turn overs and take it to the Tide!
VolFanNC writes:
Speed can work over size at least the 1st 3 quarters. Size can wear teams down in the 4th quarter unless the team is deep on the DL and LB.
Seems we are fairly deep in DL now, but I am worried about the LB's later in the game. In each game this year, Bama's opponents melted down in the 4th quarter. On the bright side, that has been our best quarter as well.
Biggest thing though is Crompton turnovers and Kick returns for TD's. If we can limit it to 1 Crompton turnover and no big kick returns, we have a good chance.
AVolVoice writes:
Great post, this is exactly what I'm worried about in tomorrow's game. Bama likes to wear teams down until the fourth quarter where they just roll all over them.
I don't know if that will be a Vol problem tomorrow, but if Tennessee can't get first downs on offense and give the D some rest, it will happen.
RollTideJoe writes:
Crompton gets pressured, makes his old mistakes. Arenas breaks a big kick return. Bama's depth and overall superior talent wears Vols down by halftime. Third and fourth quarter has some big plays for Bama. Tide 30 Vols 10
VolnAL writes:
Will they not let U blog on the Saban site? He must have snubbed U like he snubs all the other fans.
dowhatsright writes:
Thank you. I wish all posts were like this - informative and not just "I think we're gonna win". What you wrote makes sense to me. You should write a blog here.
wayoutwill writes:
The Vols will run the ball sucessfully agaist the Crimsome Tied IF they are able to get a consistent passing game going.The Vols have the horses to run,but it's hard to move the ball on the ground against any SEC team if you can't also move it thru the air.I am hopeful that the Vols get it going early and that we show the rest of the country as well as so many of our own fans that we are a talented football team.The truth is that all college teams struggle without good Q.B. play;hopefully Crompton has turned into one, though it's hard to belive in him;I still think the rest of our football team is very talented!
atlvolunteer writes:
agree with the misdirection and running side to side to slow the bama D, but theyll be prepared for the roll out, as they have plenty of tape from the ga game. wondering if we'll see some of the nuke passage?
atlvolunteer writes:
*nuke package
Volin68 writes:
I love the Vols especially everything about UT football. But, I think we have talked ourselves into believing we have a good chance. When its more like a slim chance as long as the breaks go our way and Alabama has an sub-par performance, then we will stand a good chance if we are close in the 4th qtr. I hate it, but...
AL - 27
TN - 10
Even though their alabama, they are ranked #1 for a reason. (12-0 start in '08; 7-0 now)
FWBVol writes:
I believe this is going to be the kind of game General Neyland and the Bear would enjoy. There will be a lot of defense and big hits.
The kicking game and battle for field position could turn things for one team.
Alabama does have a great defense, but their offense, even with Ingram running the ball, hasn't impressed me that much. They are solid on offense, but I don't see their offensive line as being nearly as strong as it was last year with Smith playing tackle.
A statement win in Tuscaloosa would do wonders for the program, and I think it's a stretch that we can win the game.
rockytopatl writes:
For all those who called Gary Danielson a moron a few weeks ago and said he hated the Vols. Read this again:
"Danielson predicts a bright future for Kiffin and the Vols:
“They are recruiting tremendous players. They are having a great impact all over the country. I promise that two years from now, the 2011 season, Tennessee will be a major player in college football.’’
wayoutwill writes:
This post is so true and I certainly am not going to call you a Vol Hater or a Troll as the Goofy Witchiepooh Doctor called me for making the very same acessment about Crompton in the Ga. game.I wonder what these idiots like him and the others that are jumping all over Adams for saying that Alabama will win want on this posting board,just a rah rah cheerleader or someone that tells it like it is or at least how they see it!I love the Vols and hope Crompton wins the Heisman trophy this year,but hoping that he wins it and truly beliving that he will win it are two different things!It is a scary thought on what MIGHT have happened if the ball had been picked on those throws in the Ga. game,just amazing what a couple of non-plays can do to change the complexion of a ballgame!GO VOLS!
Volin68 writes:
Man I just heard some awful news; Tornadoes tore threw the whole state of Alabama and now FEMA can't decide where to send help cause you can't tell any difference!!!! Ha Ha! ( don't get up tight its just a joke)
Shake_Bake writes:
I agree that we will see some mis-direction plays, end arounds, etc. But before this day is over with, you have to go man-to-man with the guy in front of you! Good ole fashion smash mouth football. We have to play smart,tough, physical football.
It is absolutely critical that the Tennessee offense moves the chains. Keep getting first downs, and let out D get some rest.
I think the Vols will play a good game! We weren't intimidated against the Gators, when every college football expert said we would lose by 5 TD's.
We can win this game, IF we play smart. GBO!!
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Pretty bold offensive game plan,that's almost crazy enough to work..Reality is that if we have a 5 WR set;I haven't seen it because we don't have 5 decent receivers..Secondly by the time bama sees that formation the third time they will blitz the linebackers and sack Crompton who does not do that well in the shotgun..CLK rarely throws without a back to block for Crompton..I would settle for just throwing on first down when they are expecting Hardesty to run off tackle..Expect to see Lincoln get lots of kicks from the 40 yard range
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Actually, JC usually does better out of the shotgun than he does under center. He worked out of the shotgun for most of the UGA game. He has time to read the defense and the receivers that he doesn't have dropping back. We may not have five GREAT receivers, but they don't all have to be superstars for a 5-wide formation to work. They can block on wide plays and screens, and they still have to be covered as receivers. Finally, Crompton is rarely back there all by himself in the shotgun. He usually has a back to block, to run the flare in the flats, or to take a handoff. Agree that we have to throw at least some on first down, but we have to be successful at it if we expect to be in the game.
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