Alabama vs. Tennessee TV channel: Volunteers, Crimson Tide battle
Published 11:57 am Saturday, October 15, 2016
It’s No. 1 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 https://www.oxfordeagle.com/wp-admin/edit.phpSEC) at No. 9 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) today in SEC football 2016.
Game time: 2:30 p.m. central
TV channel: CBS
Odds: Alabama by 13.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Alabama is seeking to maintain its No. 1 ranking while winning its 19th consecutive game. Tennessee wants to end a nine-game skid in this annual series and a 12-game losing streak against SEC West opponents. Tennessee’s last victory over an SEC West team was a 52-14 rout of Mississippi in 2010.
KEY MATCHUP
Alabama offensive tackle Cam Robinson vs. Tennessee defensive end Derek Barnett: This matchup features two potential first-round draft picks. Barnett has recorded five sacks over his last three games and has 25 career sacks in 2½ seasons. All but three of his career sacks have come against SEC foes. ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay’s ranking of all the draft-eligible prospects regardless of position has Barnett 16th and Robinson 19th.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alabama: DB Minkah Fitzpatrick. He’s coming off a three-interception performance in a 49-30 victory at Arkansas and ranks third on the team with 27 tackles. His ball-hawking presence could make a major difference against at Tennessee team that committed seven turnovers in a 45-38 double-overtime loss at Teas A&M last week.
Tennessee: RB Jalen Hurd. Tennessee’s leading rusher is expected to return to action Saturday after sitting out the Texas A&M game with an unspecified injury. Hurd ran for 92 yards against Alabama last season and has a physical style that enables him to gain yards even when there isn’t much running room.
FACTS & FIGURES
This is the third time in the last five years that Alabama has been ranked No. 1 when it has faced Tennessee. … Tennessee’s last victory over a top-ranked team was a 38-20 triumph over Auburn in 1985. … Tennessee has fumbled 21 times, the highest total of any FBS team. The Volunteers have lost eight of those fumbles. … Alabama has scored nine non-offensive touchdowns, the most of any FBS team. … Tennessee RB Alvin Kamara gained a school-record 312 all-purpose yards against Texas A&M. … This marks the first game at Neyland Stadium to match two top-10 teams since No. 5 Georgia beat No. 8 Tennessee 27-14 in 2005.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.