The Alabama weakness the Vols need to take advantage of to win on Saturday

If the Tennessee Vols are going to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday in Knoxville and end a 15-game losing streak in the rivalry, then they need to take advantage of a major Bama weakness. For some reason, the Crimson Tide have struggled with ball security this season. According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, only […]

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer

Oct 14, 2022 11:03 AM EDT

If the Tennessee Vols are going to beat the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday in Knoxville and end a 15-game losing streak in the rivalry, then they need to take advantage of a major Bama weakness.

For some reason, the Crimson Tide have struggled with ball security this season.

According to ESPN's Bill Connelly, only 12 FBS teams have fumbled more times than Alabama has this season.

From ESPN:

One other key factor is turnovers. They were a problem for Alabama even before the A&M game. Only 12 FBS teams have committed more fumbles than the Tide (10), and Young's interception rate has crept up from 1.3% in 2021 to 2.2%. That's on his receivers as much as him, but they're INTs all the same. The Tide won despite a minus-3 turnover margin last week; they won't get away with that in Knoxville.

Jared Wayne (5) of the Pittsburgh Panthers gets wrapped up for a tackle by Jeremy Banks (33) of the Tennessee Volunteers during the first half at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA on Spetmebr 10, 2022.Pittsburgh Panthers Vs Tennessee Volunteers

This year is Tennessee's best shot to get a win in this rivalry since 2015 when the Vols lost at Alabama by just five points.

But just because the Vols have a good shot, doesn't mean it's going to happen. Alabama is still Alabama, after all. And they're a 7.5-point favorite. The Vols will need to play at a high level to knock off Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.

Creating turnovers will be a big factor in whether or not Tennessee has success on Saturday.

Alabama is going to move the ball on the Vols — even if Bryce Young doesn't play. This game will come down to the Vols getting stops in the red zone and limiting Bama to field goals or failed fourth-down attempts. Stopping Alabama in the red zone is going to be a lot tougher than stopping Florida or LSU. Tennessee will likely need to create at least two turnovers to get the win.

Fortunately, for the Vols, Alabama is averaging two turnovers a game so far this season.

If Tennessee can force at least two turnovers, I like their chances of upsetting Bama on Saturday.

Featured image via Bryan Lynn-USA TODAY Sports