The Associated Press
No. 4 Alabama (6-1, 3-1 SEC) at Tennessee (3-4, 0-3), 7:30 p.m. (ESPN2)
Line: Alabama by 17.
Series Record: Alabama leads 51-38-7.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Alabama likely must win this game to keep its hopes of reaching the College Football Playoff alive. A victory would help the Crimson Tide remain just behind No. 1 Mississippi State and No. 3 Mississippi – both unbeaten – in the SEC West. This also represents a return to Knoxville for Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who coached Tennessee in 2009 before Southern California hired him away.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama offensive line vs. Tennessee defensive front seven: Alabama’s offensive line is coming off a dominant performance in a 59-0 victory over Texas A&M. Tennessee leads the SEC with 58 tackles for loss. Vols linebacker A.J. Johnson has an SEC-leading 78 tackles.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: LB Xzavier Dickson. Tennessee’s problems in pass protection could result in a big night for Dickson, who has eight tackles for loss and 5 ½ sacks to lead the Tide in both categories. Tennessee has allowed 30 sacks this season. SMU is the only Football Bowl Subdivision program that has given up more sacks.
Tennessee: CB Cam Sutton. This sophomore is one of the SEC’s top young cornerbacks and relishes the opportunity to line up against big-time receivers. He’s getting that opportunity now. One week after matching up with Ole Miss star Laquon Treadwell, Sutton figures to spend much of the night covering Amari Cooper, who ranks fourth among all FBS players with 129.7 yards receiving per game.
FACTS AND FIGURES
Alabama has beaten Tennessee seven straight times. … Tennessee hasn’t exceeded the 17-point mark in its last 10 games with Alabama. …. Tennessee hasn’t scored a touchdown in each of its last two SEC games – a 10-9 loss to Florida and a 34-3 loss to Ole Miss. … Alabama is converting 53 percent of its third-down situations, a figure that ranks the Tide fourth nationally. Tennessee is allowing opponents to convert just 28 percent of their third-down opportunities. The Vols rank eighth nationally in third-down conversion percentage defense. …. Alabama’s 59-0 victory last week over Texas A&M – ranked 21st at the time – represented its most one-sided victory since a 66-3 blowout of Vanderbilt in 1979.
Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
