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College Football

Nick Saban talks about challenges he expects from Tennessee’s defense against Alabama

Sydney Hunte

By Sydney Hunte

Published:

Nick Saban and Alabama will take on a resurgent Tennessee team on Saturday as it looks to improve to 7-0 on the season.

The Crimson Tide have taken the last 15 games in the series, including a 52-24 win in Tuscaloosa in 2021. That being said, Josh Heupel has the Volunteers off to their best start in years, and a rowdy environment at Neyland Stadium awaits the Tide in what is the biggest home game at the venue in a while.

Saban, during his radio show on Thursday night, keyed in on what he’s seen from the Vols defense during game preparation. Although Tennessee has given up the most passing yards per game in the SEC, it’s allowed just 89.2 yards on the ground, 2nd in the conference.

“I know they’re quick and do a lot of stunting. They do a lot of movement up front, they do a lot of pressuring. I think the No. 1 thing is you’ve gotta get a hat on a hat,” Saban said.

While it’s not an insurmountable challenge by any stretch of the imagination, it’s certainly going to be a challenge nonetheless. That’s not to mention the possibility of Alabama being without Bryce Young for the 2nd week in a row.

Kickoff on Saturday is at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Sydney Hunte

Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.

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