The Tennessee Vols will head to Tuscaloosa this weekend to take on the Alabama Crimson Tide in a game that will play a big part in defining how we remember UT's 2023 season. 

This might be the Vols' most winnable game in Tuscaloosa during the Nick Saban era. 

Alabama is still Alabama, but they haven't looked like a championship contender so far this season, despite having only one loss. 

The Crimson Tide are No. 86 in the nation in total offense so far this season, ranking one spot below a Wake Forest team that was just blown out by a not-very-good Virginia Tech team that is currently 3-4. 

Tennessee, however, is in a similar spot. The Vols are actually No. 33 in the nation in total offense, but that's almost entirely because of their elite rushing attack. UT's passing offense ranks No. 88 in the nation (Alabama ranks No. 82). I don't think anyone saw that kind of drop off in the passing game coming after the way the Vols' passing attack dominated last season, but that's what happens when you lose a quarterback, two wide receivers, and an offensive lineman (that were all drafted in the top three rounds) to the NFL. 

Alabama is favored in this game mostly because they're at home. Neither team, though, has been impressive. Yet they're both somehow 5-1 with paths to the playoff still in front of them at the midway point of the season. 

And both teams need a win on Saturday to keep that path open. 

The Vols' offense obviously needs to play better than what we saw last week against Texas A&M to get a win on the road against Alabama. And they absolutely have to cut down on the penalties (they were lucky to benefit from a couple of missed facemask calls in the win against the Aggies). 

There are a few things schematically, however, that Tennessee can do to improve their chances of winning on Saturday in Tuscaloosa. 

1. Attack the middle of the field

Alabama seems to be vulnerable in the middle of the field. That's where Arkansas quarterback KJ Jefferson found success last week — both passing and running the ball. According to Pro Football Focus, Jefferson completed 9-of-14 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in the middle of the field. Up the middle seems to be a weak spot for the Bama defense. If it's there, Vols quarterback Joe Milton has to take it. That's through the air and/or with his legs. If Milton sees a running lane, there's no point in waiting. The Vols' offense hasn't been efficient enough through the air to waste opportunities on the ground when Milton has the ball in his hands. 

2. Tennessee has to exploit Alabama's left tackle situation 

Alabama, uncharacteristically, has some offensive line issues — specifically at left tackle.

Kadyn Proctor and Elijah Pritchett split reps at left tackle last week for Alabama and they gave up five sacks to the Razorbacks. This is obviously a great matchup for the Vols since their defensive line is one of their biggest strengths. 

The question for Vols defensive coordinator Tim Banks is how he deploys his edge rushers. Do you line James Pearce up against Alabama right tackle JC Latham and see if he can win that one-on-one situation? Or do you rush him from the left side where Alabama will almost certainly use a tight end in protection to help cover up the left tackle issues? There's also the possibility that Alabama breaks out more screen passes in this game to try to combat the left tackle issues. Tennessee is fortunate to have a couple of other edge rushers who can get home aside from Pearce (Tyler Baron has been a force this season and Roman Harrison can do plenty of damage a well). All three of those guys will need to do damage early and often against Bama. 

Tennessee's pass rush has been dominant this season, but it will have to continue to be dominant in a favorable matchup against Bama for the Vols to leave Bryant-Denny Stadium with a win. 

3. Avoid giving up big plays

This is obviously easier said than done. But as anemic as Alabama's offense has been at times this season, they've still hit on their fair share of big plays. 

Against Arkansas, Alabama hit on a 79-yard touchdown pass despite facing a third-and-14 situation. Tennessee's been good defensively this year, but they've still struggled some in third-and-forever situations. I have a feeling that this game will come down to which team manages to hit on a couple of big plays. Tennessee's offense has had some chances, they just haven't executed in those situations. I think those plays will be there for the Vols' offense against Alabama, they just have to hit on them. Conversely, when Tennessee gets Alabama behind the chains, they can't bail out the Tide by playing undisciplined football. All it takes is one missed assignment in that situation to flip a game. Tennessee will need to be sound in their technique and disciplined in their assignments to avoid giving up big plays. 

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