The Other Sideline this week is a team that has looked like one of the best offenses in the country for five games and then ran into a wall last Saturday.
Alabama is scoring 44 points a game. They are putting up over 450 yards. Keelon Russell has been the reason. The sophomore is completing 68 percent of his passes, averaging nearly 10 yards an attempt, and has 12 touchdowns against two interceptions. He also runs it for 37 yards a game and four scores. When he is comfortable he is throwing darts on every level of the field and keeping defenses honest with his legs. Lotzeir Brooks and Rico Scott have been solid next to the top option, and the run game has finally shown life after a down year. Freshmen Trae’shawn Brown and EJ Crowell plus Daniel Hill have given them three different looks in the backfield. The offensive line has been better than expected under Adrian Klemm. For most of the season this group has looked like a problem for anybody.
Then Georgia happened. Alabama managed 17 points at home and lost. Russell was 16 of 30 for 185 yards. The run game got 206 yards but the offense stalled when it mattered. They also left that game banged up. Leading receiver Ryan Coleman-Williams is out. Center Racin Delgatty is dealing with a lower leg injury and is questionable. Those are real problems. Coleman-Williams is their most dangerous playmaker. Delgatty has been the communicator up front. Losing either one of them in a hostile place like Neyland changes the picture.
On defense Alabama has been solid for most of the year, especially against the run. They held four of their first five opponents under 100 rushing yards. Then Georgia ran for 206 on them and converted 7 of 13 third downs. The secondary is talented and has produced interceptions, including multiple pick sixes. Kane Wommack’s group can create turnovers and get off the field when they are right. They can also get gashed when the opponent is physical and patient.
How Alabama beats Tennessee is straightforward. They protect Russell, hit a couple deep shots, and keep the Vols offense in front of them. If Russell has time and clean windows he will find Brooks, Scott, or the tight ends for chunk plays. If their running backs get loose in the second level they can control the clock and keep Tennessee’s defense on the field. Their defense does not have to be perfect. They just have to force a couple of short fields or a turnover and make the Vols work for every yard. Alabama has the better quarterback and more proven playmakers when healthy. That is the version that has been scoring in the 40s and 50s.
The version that shows up hurt, with a backup center, without their best receiver, and still feeling the Georgia loss is a different animal. Neyland will be loud. Communication will matter. If Alabama’s offense is not as smooth as it has been and their defense gets stuck on the field against the Vols run game, this one can stay tight. That is the path for Tennessee. Alabama is still the better team on paper. They are just walking into a place and a situation where the paper has not always held up.