Post by Orange Daddy on Oct 22, 2015 4:02:28 GMT -5
The Tennessee football team takes on traditional Southeastern Conference rival Alabama on Saturday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and the Crimson Tide is favored to win the game by more than two touchdowns.
Yes, the Vols are big underdogs - but Mike Strange of the Knoxville News Sentinel offered up several reasons why the visitors have a chance to upset Alabama on Saturday.
1. Penalties - The Vols are No. 1 in the SEC and No. 4 in the country with just 35 penalty yards per game. Alabama needs to shoot itself in the foot a few times while Tennessee plays a clean game.
2. Punting - Tennessee's punting game has been outstanding, with Trevor Daniel averaging 47.6 yards per punt. He has 14 punts of 50+ yards and has had 13 punts downed inside the 20. He can flip the field for the Vols and will need to do so several times Saturday.
3. Interceptions - Joshua Dobbs had some success throwing the ball against Alabama last season, and he hasn't thrown it to the other team very much this season. He has only two interceptions on the season, while Crimson Tide quarterbacks have thrown eight interceptions.
4. Return game - Evan Berry of Tennessee is averaging more than 39 yards per kickoff return and has taken two kickoffs all the way back for touchdowns. In a game where field position can be so important, starting 20 yards further down the field than your opponent is like getting two more first downs on each drive.
5. Rest - Tennessee was off last week and had some additional time to heal some injuries and prepare for the Alabama offense and defense. The Crimson Tide played Texas A&M last week - and it was a road game. The Vols are still banged up, but the extra week came at a great time for the team.
Yes, the Vols are big underdogs - but Mike Strange of the Knoxville News Sentinel offered up several reasons why the visitors have a chance to upset Alabama on Saturday.
1. Penalties - The Vols are No. 1 in the SEC and No. 4 in the country with just 35 penalty yards per game. Alabama needs to shoot itself in the foot a few times while Tennessee plays a clean game.
2. Punting - Tennessee's punting game has been outstanding, with Trevor Daniel averaging 47.6 yards per punt. He has 14 punts of 50+ yards and has had 13 punts downed inside the 20. He can flip the field for the Vols and will need to do so several times Saturday.
3. Interceptions - Joshua Dobbs had some success throwing the ball against Alabama last season, and he hasn't thrown it to the other team very much this season. He has only two interceptions on the season, while Crimson Tide quarterbacks have thrown eight interceptions.
4. Return game - Evan Berry of Tennessee is averaging more than 39 yards per kickoff return and has taken two kickoffs all the way back for touchdowns. In a game where field position can be so important, starting 20 yards further down the field than your opponent is like getting two more first downs on each drive.
5. Rest - Tennessee was off last week and had some additional time to heal some injuries and prepare for the Alabama offense and defense. The Crimson Tide played Texas A&M last week - and it was a road game. The Vols are still banged up, but the extra week came at a great time for the team.