Game plans have been installed. The players know their assignments and have had several practices in preparation for the weekend showdown.
Articles and comments have been posted regarding the great tradition behind this rivalry and many great memories have been rehashed. Now it's time to look at the current teams involved and evaluate what they bring to the gridiron for the clash on Saturday, October 24, 2009.
If you are not an analyst, this article is not for you. If you are into the details, prepare to be informed. If you find a mistake, congratulations, you are extremely knowledgeable (grammar doesn't count). Send me a comment, I will make up for it and correct any misrepresentin' in this piece.
If you want a summary, skip to the last page.
Mid Season Records
Just one game past the mid-season mark, the Alabama Crimson Tide has posted a record of 7-0. They have wins against one quality out of conference opponent and four conference opponents.
The Tennessee Volunteers have one quality win against the University of Georgia. Wins against Western Kentucky and Ohio were posted in week one and week four.
UT Losses to UCLA (19-15), UF (23-13) and Auburn (26-22) have set their mid-season mark at 3-3. In each of the losses, the Volunteers had opportunities to change the outcome in their favor but fell short of the goal.
The victory against UGA was convincing, just two weeks ago. The Vols have been scheming for this game going on two weeks, having the benefit of a bye-week in preparation. The Alabama team is in stride for their eighth consecutive game.
Offense by the Numbers
Alabama
Five games into the season, the Alabama offense showed nearly perfect balance in production from the running and passing phase of the game plan. Through seven games, the Tide has rushed for 1,605 yard and passed for 1,419 yards in 485 plays yielding 17 touchdowns, a slight lean toward rushing.
In the last two games, a star has risen from the backfield of the Crimson Tide. Mark Ingram has asserted himself as a game changer. Ingram is the leader in the backfield for the Tide, having accumulated a total of 905 yards.
His production has steadily increased in each week, reaching a pinnacle of 246 yards against the most recent opponent, the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Backup running backs for Alabama have accumulated 672 yards on 126 carries. True freshman Trent Richardson leads with 66 carries for 359 yards, his longest a 50 yd scamper against the Arkansas Razorbacks.
Richardson, Grant and Upchurch have each carried the ball for more than 20 plays and gained more than 150 yards for the Crimson Tide. The back ups have scored a total of 8 touchdowns.
Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy has an efficiency rating of 137.6. He has completed 103 passes of 173 attempts for 1,325 yards, 9 TD against three interceptions. His back-up, Star Jackson has little to show in the way of game experience and at this point is considered an untested liability.
Eight players on the Alabama team have 7 catches or more, four of those players have more than 10 receptions. Marquis Maze has 14 receptions for 216 yd, averaging 18.6 yd/catch. TE Colin Peek leads the group with the most receptions (19), rambling for 213 yards (11.2 yd/catch) and one touchdown.
Tennessee
The Tennessee offense also demonstrates good balance between the running and passing phases of the offensive scheme. To date, the UT offense has ran 407 plays, netting 1,102 yd rushing and 1,254 yd passing for 10 touchdowns.
The rushing attack is lead by senior Montario Hardesty. On the year, Hardesty has 125 touches for 672 yards and six touchdowns. His best game to date was in the opener against W. Kentucky, gaining 160 yards on 18 carries. He has one touchdown in each of the first six games.
Second in line is true freshman, Bryce Brown. Brown has 55 carries for 250 yards and two touchdowns on the season. His best game was also against the Hilltoppers, rushing for 104 yards and one touchdown. He has averaged less than 40 yards in the five games following the opener, peaking at 56 yards on 13 carries versus Ohio.
Backups Tauren Poole and Nu'Keese Richardson have impressive statistics but little to show in the way of playing time. Poole averages 10.0 yards per carry and Richardson, 11.8 yards per carry yet neither have been given the nod for more action. Both backs have less than 10 carries.
Senior Jonathan Crompton leads the Volunteer offense from the quarterback position. On the year, he has completed 102 passes of 177 attempts for 1,210 yard, 13 TD and 9 INT. His pass efficiency rating is 129.1.
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