‘They give up a lot of yards’ – Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver issues a challenge to the Tennessee Vols defense

The Alabama Crimson Tide are set to host the Tennessee Vols in Tuscaloosa this weekend. Tennessee won last year’s rivalry game against Alabama in Knoxville.

Zach Ragan — Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Tennessee Vols vs Alabama Crimson Tide
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For the second straight week, the Tennessee Vols are the recipients of some bulletin board material ahead of a big SEC showdown.

Last week, Arkansas Razorbacks running back Mike Washington told reporters that Tennessee’s defense has a “lot of holes”.

Washington backed up his trash talk by rushing for 131 yards and a touchdown against the Vols (though Tennessee had the last laugh after grinding out a 34-31 win over the Razorbacks).

Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard issues a challenge to Tennessee’s defense

Tennessee will head to Tuscaloosa this weekend for a huge SEC matchup against the Alabama Crimson Tide.

The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat for a spot in the College Football Playoff, while the loser will be left with some work to do.

Ahead of this year’s installment of “The Third Saturday in October”, Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard joined The Next Round, and he essentially issued a challenge to the Vols’ defense.

“They like to play man-to-man, and they want to bring the house,” said Bernard. “It’s a great opportunity for our offense. They give up a lot of yards, but that’s because they trust and believe in their guys to get the job done. And you know, for us to have the opportunity to go against man-to-man is a field of dreams. That’s what receivers want — those one-on-one matchups, so it’s just gonna be up to us to go out there and make the plays.”

I wouldn’t classify that as trash talk from Bernard — the Vols are No. 123 in the nation in pass yards allowed, so he’s not stretching the truth. But it’s certainly bulletin board material (if that doesn’t motivate the Tennessee defense, I don’t know what will).

Tennessee has been feast or famine on defense this season — the Vols will give up a ton of yards, but they’ll make some huge plays, too.

UT, in fact, leads the SEC in sacks with 25.

Still, there’s no doubt that Tennessee will need to be better in pass coverage (and, to be frank, against the run) to get a win in Tuscaloosa.

We’ll see if the Vols can answer the challenge from Bernard and the Alabama offense on Saturday night in Bryant-Denny Stadium.

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