Alabama's Vol Prep Continues; Tide Volleyball Hosts Mississippi State Tonight; Kirk Herstreit Says Bama Should Be Concerned

Crimson Tide's Vol Prep Continues

Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics

Preparation continues for the 99th meeting between University of Alabama Crimson Tide football and the Volunteers of Tennessee. The top team in the country will travel to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee this week to take on the No. 9/11 Vols in one of its most historic rivalry games. The Tide practiced for approximately two hours yesterday afternoon in full pads at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields on all phases of prep.

Neither of the two players who suffered concussions in this past Saturday's contest with Arkansas were on the practice field yesterday during the media viewing period. Alphonse Taylor had been on the field earlier, but went back inside prior to reporters filing onto the field. Reuben Foster had not been on the field at all. Both had been on the field on Monday wearing black non-contact jerseys.

Work continued on fundamentals, assignments and game plan prep.

Alabama head football coach Nick Saban has already expressed his displeasure at this past Saturday's defensive performance in Fayetteville, Arkansas even though the Crimson Tide defeated the Razorbacks by 19 points as well as providing two scores via that very defense. Saban said that the two defensive touchdowns didn't make up for the easy touchdowns given to Arkansas, touchdowns that should not have happened. Alabama forced five turnovers in that game and limited the Hogs to just 73 yards of rushing offense. The Tide also leads the nation in defensive touchdowns with seven total on the season, nine total non-offensive touchdowns in 2016.

The annual "Third Saturday in October" event is finally, literally back to the third Saturday in October, where it was played for many years prior to the Southeastern Conference taking over the scheduling of conference games. This will be the 99th meeting between the two teams, with Alabama holding a 52-38-7 (53-37-8 actual record) advantage in a series that dates back to 1901.

Alabama has won the last nine consecutive meetings between the two teams, with this one the odds-makers have tilted in Bama's direction. The young men in Crimson are somewhere between 10.5 to 11.5 favorites this coming Saturday. The Crimson Tide has also taken the last four contests in Knoxville, outscoring Tennessee 148-52. Last year Alabama took a 19-14 decision in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

The game will be broadcast live by the CBS Network this Saturday beginning at 2:30 p.m. CT. Verne Lundquist will be handling the play-by-play, Gary Danielson the color/analysis and Allie LaForce will be walking the sidelines with on-the-spot injury reports, interviews and analysis.

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Head on over to TIDE TV and check out today's Alabama Football practice highlight.

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Alabama Volleyball Hosts Mississippi State Tonight

Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics

The University of Alabama Crimson Tide volleyball team will be back in action tonight when the ladies host the Bulldogs of Mississippi State University (11-8 overall, 3-2 SEC) in an important conference matchup. Alabama (13-5 overall, 2-3 SEC) needs this one to get back to .500 in Southeastern Conference competition. The contest is scheduled for 8 p.m. CT in Foster Auditorium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. The game will also be broadcast on ESPNU.

Alabama leads the series 46-17, with last matchup going to the Dogs in a 3-2 loss in Starkville, Mississippi on October 2nd.

Alabama volleyball head coach Ed Allen, now in his sixth season, is only two wins away from his 50th conference victory.

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Kirk Herstreit Says That Bama Should Be Concerned

Kirk Herbstreit, ESPN
Photo Credit: ESPN 

Though coming up short in predicting a Tennessee victory this Saturday, ESPN Sports analyst Kirk Herbstreit says that the Crimson Tide should be concerned about the Vols, especially their talented offense.

Speaking on SportsCenter, Herbstreit said, "I'd be concerned about quarterback Josh Dobbs and his ability to get on the edge. His ability to create the run, can give Alabama problems."

In creating touchdowns, Dobbs leads the nation after week six of the college football season. Dobbs has 19. He's also thrown for over 1,400 yards this season as well as rushing for 300 more.

Another key player for the Vols? Well, Herbstreit says the Tide needs to realize how running back Alvin Kamara is a real key for Tennessee success. Herbstreit touts Kamara as both an effective runner and receiver out of the backfield. In the double overtime loss to the Aggies this past Saturday, Kamara racked up 127 rushing yards and 161 receiving yards.

Herbstreit commented, "Last week, he did so many different things. If you try to beat Alabama you've got to have your quarterback get the ball out of his hands quickly, the quarterback has to be a run threat and take some chances down the field."

Plus remember, Alabama only escaped with a 19-14 win in Tuscaloosa last season. That is, according to Herbstreit, another indicator that Alabama had better watch out in Knoxville this Saturday.

Alabama and Tennessee kick it off at 2:30 p.m. CT this Saturday at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville. The game will air live on CBS.