Written by JC Cartagena
No team has been more dominant in college football this decade than the Alabama Crimson Tide under head coach Nick Saban. Going an astonishing 134-23 since arriving at Alabama, Saban’s teams have dominated the college football landscape. This weekend, Alabama and their sophomore starting quarterback Jalen Hurts will take on the rival University of Tennessee Volunteers. The Crimson Tide will look to avoid an upset at home with Quinten Dormady starting at quarterback for the Volunteers.
Saban’s reign as Alabama’s head coach has seen his teams be carried by an elite running game and dozens of NFL talent on the defensive side of the ball. With the emergence of Hurts last season, Alabama has the smart and brilliant quarterback play that they have lacked in recent years. Totaling over 1000 yards passing and 558 yards rushing this season, landing him second on the team in rushing behind only junior running back Damien Harris, Hurts has brought a different style of offense that Alabama is not used to seeing on Saturdays. Hurts’ only reliable target is wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who has triple the amount of receptions than any other pass catchers, comes into this one with 441 yards receiving and a couple of scores on his season.
Carrying the ball for the Vols against the formable Crimson Tide defense will be running back John Kelly, who is in the middle of his breakout season. Tennessee head coach Butch Jones will center his game plan on Kelly, but breaking down Saban’s number one ranked defensive unit in the country will be a tough task to overcome. Tennessee offensive coordinator Larry Scott could turn to Dormady to lead them offensively despite not having a 300-yard game passing yet this season.
Comfortable at the number one spot in the polls after Clemson’s shocking loss last week to Syracuse, Alabama’s quest for a fourth straight College Football Playoff looks to be in sight. The Crimson Tide will have to fight off an always competitive Tennessee team to stay unbeaten and keep their postseason hopes in their own hands. The Tide have not lost since the National Championship game against Clemson and former quarterback Deshaun Watson, bringing their record to 7-0 overall and a 4-0 record in Southeastern Conference play. The Volunteers however are not in the College Football Playoff discussion as they have lost three out of their last four games to give them a 3-3 overall record and a 5th place standing in the SEC East.
Alabama under Nick Saban ranks as one of the best dynasties in college football history. With four national championships, five conference titles and two Heisman winners in ten seasons, the Crimson Tide will have no shortage of confidence going into Saturday. Alabama wins in dominating fashion, 52-14. The speed and strength of Alabama will be too much for Butch Jones and the Volunteers.
Saban’s reign as Alabama’s head coach has seen his teams be carried by an elite running game and dozens of NFL talent on the defensive side of the ball. With the emergence of Hurts last season, Alabama has the smart and brilliant quarterback play that they have lacked in recent years. Totaling over 1000 yards passing and 558 yards rushing this season, landing him second on the team in rushing behind only junior running back Damien Harris, Hurts has brought a different style of offense that Alabama is not used to seeing on Saturdays. Hurts’ only reliable target is wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who has triple the amount of receptions than any other pass catchers, comes into this one with 441 yards receiving and a couple of scores on his season.
Carrying the ball for the Vols against the formable Crimson Tide defense will be running back John Kelly, who is in the middle of his breakout season. Tennessee head coach Butch Jones will center his game plan on Kelly, but breaking down Saban’s number one ranked defensive unit in the country will be a tough task to overcome. Tennessee offensive coordinator Larry Scott could turn to Dormady to lead them offensively despite not having a 300-yard game passing yet this season.
Comfortable at the number one spot in the polls after Clemson’s shocking loss last week to Syracuse, Alabama’s quest for a fourth straight College Football Playoff looks to be in sight. The Crimson Tide will have to fight off an always competitive Tennessee team to stay unbeaten and keep their postseason hopes in their own hands. The Tide have not lost since the National Championship game against Clemson and former quarterback Deshaun Watson, bringing their record to 7-0 overall and a 4-0 record in Southeastern Conference play. The Volunteers however are not in the College Football Playoff discussion as they have lost three out of their last four games to give them a 3-3 overall record and a 5th place standing in the SEC East.
Alabama under Nick Saban ranks as one of the best dynasties in college football history. With four national championships, five conference titles and two Heisman winners in ten seasons, the Crimson Tide will have no shortage of confidence going into Saturday. Alabama wins in dominating fashion, 52-14. The speed and strength of Alabama will be too much for Butch Jones and the Volunteers.