The goal for the Alabama defense will be to contain Dylan Sampson

The biggest issue for the Alabama defense the last couple of games of course has been getting off the field on third down. The best way to make that achieve this is to contain Tennessee running back Dylan Sampson. On first and second down this defense will need to hit him at or behind the line of scrimmage. If he is able to get five and six yards a carry, then it may be a long day for this defense. He has only had one game with under 100 yards and is the only consistent part of the Volunteer's offense.

If Kane Wommack's unit is able to contain Dylan Sampson early on downs, I like our chances on third and long with Nico in passing situations. He is a talented quarterback but he is young and recently hasn't looked nearly as good the last couple of weeks. Wommack is going to have to dial up some exotic blitzes to get after the young QB, but being able to do so will be determined by containing the running game. Cleary Dylan Sampson is the best running back Alabama has seen all season so it will be up to the defense to answer this challenge.

The USF QB, Byrum Brown, is the only person to have over 100 yards on this defense so far, and it will be imperative that Sampson doesn't eclipse the century mark on Saturday afternoon. I feel very confident that if he is contained than it will be Bama players and fans smoking cigars around 6:30 PM Central Time. This defense will need to make it where everything is on Nico Iamaleava and his abilities passing the ball. This will increase the chances of being able to force a turnover or two which will be what is needed to quiet the raucous crowd.