Vols and Bama Set to Clash as Highly Ranked Rivalry Teams

For the first time since 1999, Tennessee and Alabama will collide with both teams ranked in the top ten. The 9th ranked Vols are hoping to upset the top-ranked Tide to snap their 9-game losing streak in this annual rivalry.
Despite that heart-breaking loss to Texas A&M, the Vols are ready to welcome Alabama on Rocky Top.
Said Vols defensive back Todd Kelly Jr:”In the previous years, we didn’t really know how we would do against the premiere SEC teams. But now we see ourselves as one of the premiere SEC teams, and with that being said, we know we can play with anybody.”
Said Tide head coach Nick Saban:”This is a very, very good team. Probably one of for sure a top ten team in the country. It’s going to be a very challenging game for us.”
Turnovers are a major concern for Tennessee right now.
The Vols have 21 fumbles this season, which leads the nation.
Said Vols quarterback Josh Dobbs:”When you’re straining and trying to get extra yards, you still have to secure the ball. That’s what we’ve been focusing on in practice, and that’s what we’ll focus on throughout the week.”
For Alabama, their vaunted defense gave up 43 points to Ole Miss and 30-points to Arkansas last week. Imagine how Saban felt.
Said Saban:”I don’t know if anybody noticed, but I wasn’t the happiest camper in the second half or after the game. We’ve played two games this year where we have given up a lot points, so we’ve got to get all eleven guys playing together and doing a good job so that we are now more difficult to score on.”
Tennessee has shown they can rally from big deficits this season, and look for Saban to remind the Tide about that.
Said Saban:”And the way people score points now. There has been numerous games where people are ahead by 21 points, and they end up losing the game. Forget about winning the game. You’re either in control of the game or you’re not. And if you don’t stay in control of the game, then you’re giving the other team a lot of opportunities to gain the momentum in the game to get back in the game and maybe come back and have a chance to beat you.”
The Vols and Tide kick at 3:30pm, and you can watch it on News 12 Now or streaming on our web page at wdef.com.