Nick Saban wants Alabama fans to be more like Texas A&M; fans

Miles off on the total, but when you're the only one to pick the victor, you get your name in this space. They've had a hard road test already in The Swamp in Gainesville, Florida, so the atmosphere at Alabama isn't a daunting proposition to them. It's time to look at the keys to another Alabama win. On the minus side, that prediction required wearing smokey gray in Tuscaloosa. Both teams do have decent runningbacks, but haven't had good seasons up to this point. But the Vols defense did play better as a unit against Georgia. On to the picks! The first down runs up the middle and screen passes that have never worked are going to continue to fail if we lean on them this weekend. Dobbs wasn't expected to play against Alabama past year, but was thrust into the game in the first quarter and finished with 75 rushing yards.

Kerbyson said it's natural for Tennessee's young linemen to look at Alabama and think, "Oh my God, these guys are so much better than I am, so much more experienced and athletic and strong". Not to mention the coaching, where there is no contest.

If there's one thing we know about Lane Kiffin, it's that he knows how to put QBs in a position to succeed against defenses with notable holes.

So what to expect?

Nonetheless, Jones isn't putting his quarterback on a pitch count.

"He did a fantastic job against us previous year", Alabama head coach Nick Saban said this week.

Henry will get his chances in the game and I truly believe he will definitely make several plays for the Tide offense, which should also open things up for Jacob Coker and the passing game.

A definite advantage for the Vols is special teams, and that is not just because Alabama football has been abysmal in that category this year. We were losing a lot more then. Cam Sutton weaves his way though the defense and takes a punt return to the house. Tennessee 31 Alabama 30. In last week's game against Texas A&M;, the Tide fumbled a punt return, punted twice into the end zone, and suffered a blocked punt. Maybe throw a Georgia loss in there too.

This is going to be another tough task for Tennessee. "I'll know a little bit more later in the week".

"It's going to be fun". Alabama 34 Tennessee 24. Trailing 24-3, and facing a 4th and 9 with 1:12 to go against Georgia, I actually had a Dormady tweet cooked up and ready to go.

When the Vols lost to Arkansas on October 3, I was among the many that questioned whether or not Butch Jones was a capable in-game coach.

If you prefer to read Nick Saban's comments about Kyle Field and the 12th Man, I've transcribed them below. But at the time, I was far from the only person with the same thought.

Kamara says he's assisting the Vols this week by telling them everything he knows about his former Alabama teammates. If the Vols lose this Saturday, I want it to be because Jake Coker beat us, not Derrick Henry. Are the Vols an improved football team? Yes.

And in Tennessee's first three losses of the season, Jones made a few questionable decisions that undoubtedly lead to losses. Absolutely. Are the Vols coming off a bye and have had an extra week to prepare for Alabama? Later I learned it was because the game was so pivotal, this before the SEC had an East and West Division.

"I hope our fans can hear this", Saban said, "because this is the kind of place we should be". With Lincoln poised to kick the game winning field goal, Cody broke through the line and blocked the kick for the second time in the quarter, ending the game. It's the best in the SEC and 3rd best in the entire NCAA. With the possible exception of Jalen Hurd, Dobbs is the only bona fide offensive star for the Vols right now; if he plays as well as he's capable of playing, Tennessee might just have a chance in this one. I can't imagine it would require major reconstructive surgery to the SEC schedule to simply make sure that Alabama and Tennessee play on the Third Saturday in October.

Vegas (for reference): Alabama -15, over/under 53.