There's always a little extra energy when you are facing a rival. There's even more when you add the revenge factor to it.
For the second time this season, Alabama will look to avenge a loss from a season ago. Against Vanderbilt two weeks ago, the Crimson Tide got a taste of it by beating the Commodores 30-14. Beating Tennessee would mean even more, and that taste would have an unmistakable smoky tint.
Alabama lost to Tennessee last season in Knoxville, 24-17, in a game that was much lower scoring than most expect for this iteration of the Third Saturday in October. It was a game the Tide blew numerous opportunities in, particularly on offense. Blown opportunities have been a theme the last couple of weeks. Alabama has won games anyway, but it's unlikely they'll be able to say the same thing in the aftermath of this one. Tennessee's offense is too good to waste chances of putting points on the board.
This weekend is about revenge. It's about the rivalry and what it means to everyone in the state of Alabama. And, according to Josh Cuevas, it's awfully personal.
"The tight ends, we have a football goal sheet and we have a personal goal sheet that we do before every week to try to meet those goals," Cuevas said on Hey Coach on Wednesday night. "Most of the guys wrote down on their personal goals, 'Beat Tennessee,' because it is personal."
Josh Cuevas and Alabama's TEs could be key vs. Tennessee
Josh Cuevas leads a talented TE room that has finally gotten close to full strength. Danny Lewis Jr. missed the first few games of the season with an injury, but the redshirt junior came up with a couple of key receptions last week against Missouri.
With Tennessee's pass rush - the Vols lead the nation in sacks per game - having reliable tight ends to get the football to quickly will be key for Ty Simpson.
Cuevas leads the group as expected. The Washington transfer has caught 15 passes for 154 yards and a pair of touchdowns this season.
Cuevas is a nice safety valve for Simpson, and he and Lewis will also be used as blockers this weekend. Cuevas has been used more than the others to assist Wilkin Formby at RT. Rarely does Cuevas go out for a route where he's not chipping the defensive end lined up over Formby to give needed help to the RT. He'll be asked to do that a lot against Tennessee, too.