Ty Simpson pushes back on narrative Tennessee secondary is ‘vulnerable’
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The Third Saturday in October is here, and No. 6 Alabama is set to host No. 11 Tennessee in Week 8. Both teams escaped upsets last weekend, each winning by just 3 points — Tennessee edging past Arkansas with a nail-biting 34-31 victory to improve their record to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in conference play, while Alabama held off an upset by Missouri, 27-24.
The Crimson Tide’s offense is gaining momentum, led by quarterback Ty Simpson, who showcased his skills by throwing for 200 yards and 3 touchdowns last week.
This matchup represents a pivotal moment for both teams. Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar recently delivered one of his best performances against a Kirby Smart defense, bolstering confidence in the Volunteers’ offensive capabilities. Yet questions linger about Tennessee’s defensive prowess — particularly its secondary — as it heads into hostile territory in Tuscaloosa.
Simpson doesn’t believe the defense is vulnerable, however.
“I honestly don’t think they’re vulnerable at all,” he told reporters this week. “They’re good up front, they’ll play man, they’re physical, they move around, they’re fast. It’s just like an SEC defense. They’re going to cause chaos. They’re going to blitz.
“We’ve got to be on our Ps and Qs. Gotta be disciplined because they’re going to bring everything they’ve got at us. … I don’t think they’re vulnerable at all. I think they’re one of the top defenses in the country.”
Tennessee currently leads the nation in sacks per game, averaging 4.3 a contest. The Vols have 50 tackles for loss and 11 takeaways in 6 games. Simpson has taken 4 sacks in each of Alabama’s last 2 games.
But the Vols’ pass defense also ranks 75th nationally, allowing 7.2 yards per completion. Opposing passers complete 66.5% of their throws against the UT secondary.
The 2 sides square off inside Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Alabama is an 8.5-point favorite in the game, per BetMGM.
Lee Ann joins the Saturday Down South team, bringing over fifteen years of experience covering the SEC as both a sports journalist and football scout. With her keen eye for talent, she has also flexes her skills as the Director of Recruiting for the Rebel Walk( Ole Miss) Herring, is a staff writer at USA Today Sports Wildcats Wire, where she dives into the thrilling world of Kentucky football and basketball. When fall rolls around, you can catch her on air as an analyst for the Wake up 502 College Football Show on Big X Sports Radio 96.1 FM—because who doesn't love a good game day chat? A proud Brown University alum, Lee Ann balances her time between the sidelines and press box with her passion for coaching her boys' youth lacrosse and savoring a fine glass of bourbon alongside a good cigar. So, whether she's dissecting plays or rallying the next generation of athletes, Lee Ann is your spirited insider ready to tackle all things SEC!
