Alabama Crimson Tide vs. Tennessee Volunteers Complete Game Preview

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — If you were eager for the third Saturday in October to pick up a little steam after the last few years, don’t hold your breath for 2014.

Alabama is fresh off a 59-0 trouncing of Texas A&M, while Tennessee is limping away from a 34-3 loss to Ole Miss and still looking for its first SEC win.

Everything seemed to go right for the Crimson Tide in their win over the Aggies. Offense, defense and special teams all played at a championship level.

Tennessee, meanwhile, is working to build an identity in coach Butch Jones’ second year at the helm.

Can the Volunteers pull the upset? Probably not, but stranger things have happened.

Here’s everything you need to know:

Date: Saturday, October 25

Time: 6:30 p.m. CT

Place: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee

TV: ESPN2

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network, Vol Network

Spread: Alabama by 16.5, according to OddsShark.com.

Alabama Keys to Victory

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

Keep It Up

Alabama played easily its most complete game of the season and in recent memory on Saturday. It scored on all of its first-half possessions. It held Texas A&M to just 51 yards in the first half and under 200 for the game. That kind of momentum can vault the Crimson Tide into a playoff spot as long as they can sustain it over the back half of the season.

Fix Road Woes

The last two times away from Bryant-Denny Stadium, Alabama has put up less-than-stellar performances. After a trip back home, it’s got a chance to turn that around against a down Tennessee team. It will be a good test to see how the Crimson Tide respond before a massive trip to LSU.

Tennessee Keys to Victory

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Affect the Quarterback

Alabama coach Nick Saban said that in games at Ole Miss and at Arkansas quarterback Blake Sims had two passes in each game that could have been intercepted but were dropped. If the Volunteers can rattle Sims and force him to make bad decisions—and capitalize off them—they’ll have a chance to make game-changing plays and build momentum.

Stop the Run

The Crimson Tide’s difficulties this season have been when teams can clog up the running lanes and force Sims to consistently throw the ball. T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry ran wild on Saturday and allowed Alabama’s offense to be balanced like it wants to. Tennessee needs to put the focus up front and watch the trickle-down effect from there.

Alabama Keys to Victory

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Blake Sims

Alabama’s quarterback hasn’t struggled on the road, but he’s played his best games of the year at home. How he plays in what’s sure to be a hostile environment could set the stage for a trip to Baton Rouge after a bye week.

Lane Kiffin

He’s not a player, but all eyes will be on the former Tennessee coach turned USC coach turned Alabama offensive coordinator. His return to Knoxville will be one of the most documented stories this week. The Tennessee crowd won’t do him any favors either.

Tennessee Keys to Victory

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Justin Worley

Tennessee’s quarterback has been an effective passer when he’s had time to throw. It’s been keeping him upright that’s the problem. The Vols have allowed 30 sacks so far this season, worst in the SEC. If Worley can stay upright he could do some damage to Alabama’s secondary.

A.J. Johnson

Johnson has been the heart of the Tennessee defense this year, leading the group with 78 tackles. He can play a big role in the success of the Vols defense stopping the run. Johnson will be one of the most physical linebackers Alabama faces all year.

What They're Saying

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Alabama

Coach Nick Saban on sustaining energy after a big win over Texas A&M:

"

That's everybody's choice. Everybody chooses their energy. That's everybody's choice. Hopefully, our team will choose that kind of positive energy, that kind of positive attitude in terms of what they want to build on, what they want to accomplish. And understand the importance of good energy early in the week to have great preparation so they are confident going into the game and feel you can execute and do the things you need to do.

"

Safety Nick Perry on the Alabama-Tennessee rivalry:

"

Tennessee is a rivalry game. You ask, a lot of old people around here know that’s the biggest game of the year. Five, 10 years from now people are going to ask what’s my record against Tennessee? Hopefully I can say 4-0 or 5-0.

"

Tennessee

Coach Butch Jones on Lane Kiffin’s return, per Matt Slovin of The Tennessean:

"

The game means everything to our football program and fans because it's Alabama, not Lane Kiffin.

"

Jones, after a 34-3 loss to Ole Miss, per Slovin:

"

These are all experiences that we have to learn from and move on," Jones said. "We'll be better off in the long run. These are nights that if you're a competitor, you never forget.

"

Prediction

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Alabama 38, Tennessee 10

It won’t be the blowout that the Texas A&M game was. Nothing will. But Alabama will look like its dominant self on the road for the first time this season.

The Crimson Tide will jump out to an early lead, putting this one out of reach quickly. Their pass rush will overwhelm the Tennessee front, and their offensive line will control the point of attack for a second straight week. Tennessee will score, but it will be once the game is well out of hand.

Marc Torrence is the Alabama lead writer for Bleacher Report. All quotes were obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Advanced stats courtesy of cfbstats.com.

Follow on Twitter @marctorrence.