Alabama Football: Tennessee offense and injury status of key Vols

Alabama football fans have two main questions about the Tennessee Vols. Neither question is, will the Alabama Crimson Tide win the game. One question is what to expect from the Vols’ offense under Josh Heupel. That Heupel depends on tempo is well known. Among SEC teams, only Ole Miss racks more offensive plays than Tennessee. Heupel has said in the past he wants his offenses to execute three-plus plays for every minute his team has the ball.

Such a pace will be less of a challenge in Bryant-Denny, if the crowd realizes making it hard for the Vols to hear can also cause a problem for Tide defenders communicating late adjustments. The Alabama Football defense knows what to expect and will be prepared.

Less known to Crimson Tide fans are the formations and tactics used by Heupel. Most important to his offense is running the ball and the Vols have rushed on 339 plays this season, the most in the SEC and fifth in the FBS. Heupel creates running lanes by spreading the field horizontally.

The Vols’ leading ball-carrier has been QB Hendon Hooker with 89, often-planned rushes. Hooker has rushed for 390 yards. The leader in rushing yards for the Vols is the former top JUCO running back, Tiyon Evans. Evans and fellow running Jabari Small have been slowed by injuries. Evans did not play against Ole Miss. If he had, there is little doubt Tennessee would have won the game. Evans has rushed for 486 yards. His 6.7 yards per rush average is higher than more heralded running backs, Bijan Robinson (Texas), Isaiah Spiller (TAMU) and Heisman contender, Kenneth Walker III (Michigan State). Evans is listed as day-to-day by the Vols and Heupel will avoid giving the Crimson Tide advance knowledge of his status for Saturday.

Alabama Football will prepare for two different QBs

Without Evans, the Vols are far less explosive. Former Michigan quarterback, Joe Milton will probably have to replace Hendon Hooker on Saturday. Milton began the season as the Vols’ starter but Hooker later won the job and has been the far better QB. Hooker was hurt late against Ole Miss and like Evans, Heupel will guard his status. Reportedly Hooker has practiced some this week, but his knee injury appeared serious enough for him to not play against the Tide.

The Vols are also thin on the offensive line and could possibly be without either of the Mays brothers on Saturday. The Tide’s defensive front has struggled at times this season. If Cade Mays, Hooker and Evans can play Saturday night, the Tide’s front will have a challenge.

What can Alabama football fans expect? Stopping the Vols on the ground will be the top priority. That could mean having to depend more on man coverage from the secondary, but that matchup favors the Crimson Tide.