Coming off the biggest win of the season to date for the Vols, Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt held his first press conference of Alabama week Monday from the Ray & Lucy Hand Digital Studio.

Tennessee, 3-3 overall and 1-2 in the SEC, is scheduled to host the No. 1 team in the nation Saturday for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff in a game that will be broadcast nationally on CBS. Alabama’s record is 7-0 overall, 4-0 in the SEC, on the season.

Here are the highlights of what Pruitt had to say during his latest media availability:

  • Injury update: Jahmir Johnson, Dominick Wood-Anderson and Micah Abernathy all “day-to-day”
  • On the Alabama series: It means a lot to people around here. We have to do our part to make it a rivalry again.
  • On where his offensive coordinator will call plays moving forward: Tyson Helton will be on the sideline.
  • On who will be looked to step up with Jonathan Kongbo lost for the season (ACL): Deandre Johnson and Jordan Allen
  • On what the win does for Tennessee’s program: Anytime you win or play well, it gives you a little confidence. Our players need that… We are measured by wins and losses.
  • On what Alabama game means to him: I grew up in north Alabama. I know the passion on both sides of the rivalry. Growing up in it, playing in it, coaching it. I’ve been on both sides of it, wins and losses. It’s a big game, it’s the next game, it’s bragging rights for the year. I’m excited to be a part of it.
  • On Chance Hall: He was a really good football player but he hasn’t played in two years… Our goal was to get him back for the Florida game, we may have pushed him too hard but that’s him wanting to get out there. I coached against him as a freshman and he was a great football player. Hopefully, he will continue to play, continue to progress
  • On Tua Tagovailoa: I remember when he came to camp, didn’t see him throw, some of the guys were throwing and they came back raving about him. He’s a phenomenal quarterback but he’s a better person, I can tell you that. Got a smile on his face, cares a lot about his teammates. He’s an exceptional man.