(Above Image Source: AL.com)

When: Saturday, Oct. 15th, 3:30 PM EST

Where: Neyland Stadium (Knoxville, TN)

Channel: CBS (check local listings)

The third Saturday in October is almost here, and that can only mean one thing in the SEC: The Alabama Crimson Tide and Tennessee Volunteers will battle it out.

Is Alabama in Trouble?

Last week’s game against Texas A&M was Alabama’s most challenging game since week two. Starting quarterback Bryce Young was out due to a shoulder sprain from two weeks ago. Backup quarterback Jalen Milroe had to step in.

Despite leaving College Station with a 24-20 victory, Milroe showed that he has a lot of work to do. He had a 63 percent completion rate for 111 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception. That one interception would be part of a plague of mistakes that surrounded Alabama, which also included three fumbles and two missed field goals. It also showed once again that Bama has weaknesses.

Young is still questionable to play due to his injury. Crimson Tide fans are hoping that he has healed enough to play this weekend because they will need him more than ever. No one wants a repeat performance of last week.

On top of that, the Tide will be putting their 15-game winning streak against Tennessee on the line. This game would be easy for Milroe if the Vols weren’t this good. Bama’s winning streaks will be broken if Young does not play this weekend.

A Cinderella Story in Tennessee?

This season is, without a doubt, the best it’s ever been for Tennessee, and that’s saying a lot. It is hard to believe the way they turned things around after years of disappointing seasons, but what was expected to be another season of woe could turn into a season of hope.

However, the last time Tennessee was 5-0 was in 2016. They started that season ranked among the top 10, ahead of SEC powerhouses Florida and Georgia. They had a 9-4 record and were favorites to win the SEC East the year before.

Fans believed 2016 was the year things would go the team’s way, but what took three and a half years to get to that record unraveled in a month. The team would lose three straight games and end the season with an 8-4 record.

It’s 2022 now, and things are much different this time around. Josh Heupel is in his second year as the team’s head coach, and the players are working in harmony. There are no signs of anyone wanting to leave or otherwise.

The Last Time the Rivalry Mattered

It was Oct. 24, 2009. At that time, defensive lineman Terrence Cody played with Bama while Lane Kiffin, one of Nick Saban’s former assistant coaches, was head coach of Tennessee.

There was controversy surrounding the headsets before the game began. Kiffin claimed that Tennessee headsets went out. By rule, Bama was not allowed to use their headsets either. To this day, that one moment has both sides still accusing each other of gamesmanship.

Three hours went by as both teams tried to get the better of one another. However, it was the final minutes of the fourth quarter that would have fans talking about it for generations.

Alabama fumbled the ball with three and a half minutes left. That gave Tennessee the time they needed to score a touchdown and trail Bama by two points. Then, with one minute left in the game, an onside kick helped the Vols get the ball back.

They were on the 41-yard line. Former Vols QB Jonathan Crompton took it step-by-step but made it to Bama’s territory. Bama calls timeout with only four seconds left. Tennessee could win with a field goal, so they went for it. Cody blocked Daniel Lincoln’s field kick attempt, giving Bama the win, 12-10.

Since that game, the rivalry has never been the same. Bama kept flying high while the Vols stayed grounded.

Players to Watch Out For

Tennessee QB Hendon Hooker is just one of the players the Bama defense needs to focus on. This future Heisman candidate has a quarterback rating of 90.4, 10 touchdowns, and recorded nearly 1,500 passing yards. RB Jaylen Wright has recorded 67 carries for 315 yards and four touchdowns. WR Jalin Hyatt has 27 receptions for 388 yards and five touchdowns. Except Hooker to look to these two key offensive players to outscore Bama.

Speaking of which, there is still no telling if Young will start the game. If he does, however, they just might have a chance to match their opponents in what could be one of the best games of this rivalry. RB Jahmyr Gibbs has been busy in Young’s absence, running for 360 yards on 39 carries in the past two games.