Sept 3, 2011; Lincoln, NE, USA; Chattanooga Mocs running back Chris (9) breaks away from Nebraska Cornhuskers defenders Ciante Evans (17) and Lance Thorell (23)bduring the first half at Memorial Stadium. Nebraska won 40-7. Bruce Thorson-USA TODAY Sports
WHEN: Saturday, November 23rd; TBD
WHERE: Bryant-Denny Stadium (Tuscaloosa, AL)
LAST SEASON: 6-5 (5-3 in Southern Conference)
CURRENT PRESEASON RANKING: No. 25 in FCS
TV: TBD
RADIO: Crimson Tide Sports Network, local affiliates listed here.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads the series 11-0. The Tide won the last meeting 45-0.
OFFENSE: The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga wraps up their regular season by traveling to Tuscaloosa for a paycheck and a likely loss, but their hopes for an FCS playoff berth will be decided long before.
The Mocs return seven lettermen on an offensive line that averages 293 pounds, including five that have started at least seven games. They hope to improve upon a run game that was seventh in the Southern Conference, averaging 166.4 yards per game.
Quarterback duties will be in the hands of sophomore Jacob Huesman, who as a freshman last season started nine games at QB and one at receiver. Huesman set or tied nearly all the freshman offensive records for UTC last season, averaging almost 238 yards total offense per game. Huesman led the team in rushing with 82 yards per game, becoming the first UTC quarterback to do so.
The Mocs will need Huesman to duplicate this performance in 2013, as they don’t have a lot of experience among the receiving corps. UTC’s official roster lists six freshman WRs.
Outlook: Alabama specializes in shutting down mobile quarterbacks, and Huesman will be forced to gain yards with his arm. With a lack of experience at the receiver position, the UTC offense could be looking at a lot of three-and-outs.
DEFENSE: The Mocs are proud of their defense, anchored by junior Davis Tull, who led the Southern Conference in sacks in 2012 with 12.5. Tull took home Southern Conference Defensive Player of the Year and FCS All-American honors for his efforts.
While Tull has one side locked down at defensive tackle, a battle is ongoing in practice for the other side, between juniors Zack Rayl and Toyvian Brand.
UTC is young on the defensive side of the ball, with a deep but inexperienced defensive backfield in particular. But hopes are high, at least among the team.
“I think the defensive line has been working hard these last three days,” Tull said of his teammates. “I am really excited about who we have on paper. We look very talented so now we just have to put the work into it and meet everyone’s expectations.”
Outlook: The Crimson Tide will test the UTC defense early and often. Loaded at almost every position on offense, the only real hopes the Mocs have are in capitalizing on a rebuilt Alabama offensive line. The Tide will pound the ball as always, and emphasize ball and clock control.
When taking to the air, Alabama could conceivably throw to the other side of the field from Tull, but more likely that Amari Cooper will draw double coverage from UTC, opening the field for other receivers. This will likely get ugly quick.
COACHING: Russ Huesman took over the UTC program at the end of 2008, and has changed the culture there, taking the Mocs to back-to-back winning seasons in 2009 and 2010 and winning SoCon Coach of the Year.
Huesman is 23-21 at Chattanooga, and his team’s efforts have been rewarded by doubled attendance among the Mocs faithful.
His son Jacob is a sophomore quarterback for the Mocs, so take that for what it is.