Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano met with Knoxville media on Tuesday to preview this week’s opponent — No. 1 Alabama.

The Volunteers’ redshirt freshman gunslinger got his first start last Saturday in a 15-9 loss to South Carolina. He showed some bright spots, while also struggling at times, as would be expected of a first-time starter.

Guarantano’s first road start will be in Tuscaloosa. It’s not exactly an ideal situation for a young quarterback, but he seems to be excited about going up against Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide.

“I know the history, and I’m definitely looking forward to it,” Guarantano said. “I know that Alabama has always been a great team, and I know they are hot right now. I’m just very excited for the challenge. I’ve always been a confident guy … I’m very confident in my abilities and how I play the game, and I think that I can also be a great leader with that.

“Sometimes you’ve got to take it for what it’s worth. My confidence could have been a little too high at times, and I definitely learned from that,” Guarantano added in regards to last week’s game against the Gamecocks. “I live, and I learn. Personally, I’m just excited to see what type of test and what type of ability I have against Alabama. I know that I have great teammates and great players around me … I’m looking forward to it.”

The Vols and Tide will kick off Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Here is a video posted on Twitter by WATE sports director Marshall Hughes with Guarantano’s full comments: