Fresh off a disappointing 20-17 home loss to Georgia, Kalen DeBoer and Alabama don't have long to lick their wounds. They've got to quickly flush that game and refocus on another challenging matchup this weekend in Knoxville.
Alabama will face No. 14 Tennessee this weekend in what will be its fourth game against a team that is currently ranked inside the Top 20 of the latest AP Poll, already. Alabama's lone loss was to No. 1 Georgia, but they have impressive road wins over No. 15 Kentucky and No. 16 Mississippi State.
Alabama's loss to Georgia was inconsequential, for now, and to keep it that way, it needs to go on the road and earn its first win at Neyland Stadium since 2020.
The Crimson Tide has lost the last two matchups in Knoxville to the Volunteers. Tennessee exorcized 15 years' worth of demons in 2022, earning a 52-49 win in a thriller with significant help. Two years ago, Alabama blew a plethora of opportunities in a seven-point loss to the Vols.
Despite the recent history, oddsmakers still feel pretty good about the Crimson Tide heading to Knoxville this weekend. As of Monday morning, Alabama is a 7.5-point favorite over Tennessee on FanDuel.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.
Alabama is a 7.5-point favorite over Tennessee on the road
Despite Tennessee's struggles at QB so far this season, the Vols will still present a plethora of problems for Alabama this weekend.
Tennessee has one of the nation's best rushing attacks, and Alabama showed how susceptible it was to getting creased in the run game against Georgia, particularly in the second half of the game after Terrance Green was knocked out with an injury.
Whether it is Faizon Brandon or George MacIntyre starting at QB this weekend, the key for Alabama's defense will be stopping DeSean Bishop and the Tennessee ground game. Bishop, despite little help from the Vols' passing attack, has rushed for 678 yards and eight touchdowns this season on 6.3 yards per carry
This will be the toughest road environment Alabama has played in so far. Keelon Russell gained valuable experience in road starts at Kentucky and Mississippi State, but Neyland Stadium will be a different beast for the sophomore star.
Georgia's defense did a lot to make things difficult for him last week, and Tennessee's defensive coaches are carefully examining that tape to try and frustrate him in the same manner. Vols DC Jim Knowles is one of the most respected defensive minds in the country, so Russell will need to be focused, and DeBoer and Ryan Grubb will need to come up with answers they couldn't always find on Saturday night against Georgia.
It won't be easy, but Alabama has to find a way to win this game to avoid a two-game losing streak that completely erases the margin for error they worked so hard to build through the season's first five weeks.
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