Alabama Football: Gameday notes, tidbits and rumors for UT game

Another third Saturday in October is actually the fourth, but Alabama football will roll in Knoxville. Check out notes, tidbits and rumors.

Alabama football is in Knoxville for the 48th time to face the Tennessee Vols. The Alabama Crimson Tide leads the overall series, 57-37-8, with the Tide having the edge in Knoxville games at 26-20-1.

It is an old rivalry going back to the first game and first Tide victory in 1901. By geographical proximity and the history between the two programs, it is a rivalry. By competitive balance, it is more like the Crimson Tide vs. Mississippi State. The Crimson Tide going for 14 straight today is akin to the 22 straight wins the Tide achieved versus the Bulldogs in 1958-1979. Familiar opponents who rarely win are not really rivals.

Well known to Crimson Tide fans, Nick Saban can take his unbeaten streak against former assistants to 23-0, with a win, just a long bomb away from the banks of the Tennessee River. In Saban’s career, he has only lost to Tennessee once, along with 15 wins.

After an overrated start, the Vols are unranked this week. Nick Saban and Alabama football have college football’s longest winning streak against unranked teams, at 93 and counting.

Alabama Football Game Notes

• CBS has the broadcast again this week, with its standard team of Brad Nessler, Gary Danielson and Jamie Erdahl.
• The kickoff is set for 2:29 PM CST and a Neyland Stadium crowd capacity of 21,192 is expected.
• The Crimson Tide Sports Network will have the radio broadcast, available on Sirius/XM: 132/192.
• The Crimson Tide opened as 20-point favorite, with the most common Friday night line being Bama – 21.5.
• At kickoff, the wind should be light with a 40-45 percent chance of rain throughout the game.

Alabama Football Tidbits

• Crimson Tide defensive lineman, LaBryan Ray is doubtful, due to an elbow problem.
• Tight End, Carl Tucker has not recovered from a hamstring injury and will not play.
• Miller Forristall hurt his ankle early in the Georgia game but should be fine today.
• Previously injured JUCO transfer cornerback, Ronald Williams has practiced but is probably another week away from game competition.
• On his Thursday night radio show, Nick Saban said he has a cold. Normally, colds would go unmentioned but in the COVID era, much has changed.

Alabama Football Rumors

• It is no secret the Alabama football Punter job has been open this week. Sam Johnson has not been awful throughout four games, but his 35.4-yard average is lacking. Don’t be surprised if J.K. Scott’s brother, Charlie takes over at punter against the Vols.
• Placekicker, Chase Allen struggled so much with kickoffs against Georgia, Will Reichard replaced him. It is not known if Reichard will continue that added role against the Vols. Many Crimson Tide fans prefer Reichard to never be involved in contact.

Late this afternoon, join us a tip of the hat to former Alabama football trainer, Jim Goosetree. Goosetree is given credit for the winning cigar tradition after a Tide win over the Vols.