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Tennessee coach Butch Jones spoke to the media during his weekly press conference on Monday. Here are the highlights:
Jones is very impressed with Alabama, saying the Crimson Tide are as good as any team the Volunteers have faced this season.
Butch keeps it simple, ‘watching Alabama on film, what comes to mind is just impressive’…’Stats speak for themselves.’
— Rob Lewis (@Volquest_Rob) October 19, 2015
JONES: Alabama is as good a team as we’ve faced this season. There’s a number of individuals on both sides that will have long NFL careers.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 19, 2015
Butch: Everything this week is about working to be elite. We know Bama’s elite. They’ve set the bar.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 19, 2015
“Very, very talented. They’re as talented of a football team we’ve faced thus far.” Butch on Alabama’s talent.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 19, 2015
“Complete defense. It starts up front.” Butch on why Alabama has forced so many turnovers.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 19, 2015
The coach said that SEC football games are a challenge.
Jones: “Unless you’ve coached in this conference or played in this conference, you never get an understanding of how challenging it is.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 19, 2015
Jones said there were a few things his team must improve on.
Jones adds his team needs more explosive plays from the passing game, though.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 19, 2015
Butch also says Vols need to force more turnovers and takeaways and impact the quarterback more defensively.
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 19, 2015
Jones: “It’s still generating more big plays.”
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 19, 2015
Jones said they need more turnovers and more takeaways. Need more impact on the quarterback.
— Dustin Dopirak (@TennesseeBeat) October 19, 2015
Jones was pleased with the play of defensive lineman Khalil McKenzie against Georgia, and expects the true freshman’s role to get bigger. McKenzie, a five-star recruit, made four tackles in the Volunteers’ 38-31 win.
Butch says Kahlil McKenzie played the best game of his short career against Georgia, and his role will only increase from here.
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 19, 2015
JONES: With our limited depth, we’ll need a lot of plays from @KM1_Era. The confidence he gained against UGA is great going forward.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 19, 2015
Jones also praised quarterback Josh Dobbs for his play in the Georgia game. Dobbs passed for 312 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 118 yards and two touchdowns in his team’s come-from-behind victory.
JONES: @josh_dobbs1 grew up a lot against UGA. He was holding players accountable in a constructive way. He was in control.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) October 19, 2015
Tennessee running back Alvin Kamara will face his former team on Saturday. Kamara signed with Alabama out of high school, but after redshirting his first year, he spent last season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. He joined Tennessee this season, where he has rushed for 255 yards and three touchdowns in six games while splitting time with Jalen Hurd.
Jones on Alvin Kamara playing against his former team: “He doesn’t talk much about the past. Everything is about moving forward.” — Cory Gunkel (@CoryGunkel) October 19, 2015
Jones said he believes most of the Vols’ injured players will be able to play Saturday, with the exception of wide receiver Jason Croom, who is still recovering from a knee injury. Offensive linemen Brett Kendrick and Jashon Robertson are returning from injuries, and Jones said he’d decide later in the week how big a role they’ll play against Alabama.
Butch says he anticipates some of the minor-injury guys (O-line guys, North, Phillips) will be able to play. Jason Croom still out.
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) October 19, 2015
Butch said they will determine who starts on the OL later this wk after they see where the health of OL Brett Kendrick and Jashon Robertson.
— Paul Fortenberry (@Volquest_Paul) October 19, 2015
Butch: Actually we did have one player late to the meeting last night. He backed his car into a pole, but he’s fine physically.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 19, 2015
Jones’ Volunteers (3-3) battle No. 8 Alabama (6-1) at 3:30 p.m. Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The game will be broadcast on CBS.
