Bryce Young’s health (shoulder joint) is the biggest factor as No. 8 Tennessee hosts No. 1 Alabama. Make no mistake, the Crimson Tide is good enough to win this game without him, but it requires complementary team football and reduces the margin for error significantly.
The question for Tennessee won’t be offense, even against Alabama’s highly talented defense; they'll score enough on Saturday (2nd in the country in points, 1st in yards). Their offense goes very fast and will spread out the Tide defense. It will test Alabama’s endurance, put pressure on defenders to make open-field tackles, and force the defense to communicate efficiently.
The question for the Vols will be their own defense. They're going to give up some plays and they’ll live with that. The key will be to put pressure on whoever is QB for the Tide, force their offense to pass the ball (OC Bill O’Brien will want to run), and make a few plays to put the ball back in QB Hendon Hooker’s hands.
Should be a good one.
NO. 3 ALABAMA AT NO. 6 TENNESSEE, 3:30 p.m. on CBS
Round 1 Locks
Edge #31 Will Anderson Jr., Alabama (6-4, 243 pounds): He’s the top non-QB prospect in the draft. I compared him last year to former Chief, Derrick Thomas. Explosive athlete, great strength, and a smart player. He’s good against the run and against the pass. He had 8 pressures last week alone. He’s a difference maker and fun to watch.
QB #9 Bryce Young, Alabama (6-0, 194): He’ll be a game-time decision with a shoulder injury that kept him out last week. The current Heisman Trophy holder is a first-rounder. He won’t be for everyone because of his stature (especially after the recent Tua injuries) but he’s like an all-star point guard. He’s great at facilitating an offense, good at anticipating, and effective in tight moments. His accuracy, poise, and what’s above the shoulder pads are his best traits.
Top 100 Picks
RB #1 Jaymyr Gibbs (5-11, 200): We wrote about Gibbs to start the season and he’s off to a great start (8.3 YPC, 753 total yards, and 5 TDs). He has a little Alvin Kamara to him and has legitimate game-breaking speed at the next level. Bill O’Brien will look to get him into space, and I expect him to have a big game. I had him ranked #2 RB coming into the season and he’s still there (Bijan Robinson from Texas is the top prospect). At this point, that would put Gibbs at the top of the second round.
QB #5 Hendon Hooker, Tennessee (6-4, 218): Here’s what I said about Hooker to start the season. It still applies and if he wins Saturday, he’ll become the Heisman favorite.
Hooker is one of the best senior quarterbacks in the country and a potential Heisman candidate. He’s coming off a monster season last year after transferring from VT. This offense is very QB friendly, a really fast tempo to force a defense to declare their intentions, but what makes him so good is his efficiency. He completed 68% last year (almost 10 YPA), 31 TDs and only 3 INTs. He’s a pocket QB but he’s a threat when he runs (600+ yards last year). I have him as the 5th rated QB in the country going into the season, but scouts will need to be comfortable that it’s Hooker and not the scheme.
Hooker is completing 70% of his passes for 1,432 yards and 10 TDs. He also has another 270 rushing yards and 3 TDs. His lead WR Cedric Tillman, who I have as one of the top senior WRs in the country, is not expected to play (same injury as Mac Jones). He’ll rely on a couple of talented underclassmen in Jalin Hyatt (#11) and Bru McCoy (#15).
S #14 Brian Branch, Alabama (6-0 193): He lines up in multiple roles for the Tide defense; sometimes in the slot, sometimes as a deep safety, sometimes in the box. Plays tough and he’s one of the best tackling defensive backs in college football. Super consistent. There’s a chance he’s Day 2 and some teams may like his versatility and consistency more than fellow teammate, Battle.
S #9 Jordan Battle, Alabama (6-1, 206): Battle would have likely been a Day 2 pick if he declared last year. If he plays a full season, he'll have over 40 career starts which is incredible at that program. His experience leads to strong FBI and he trusts his instincts. I see him as an average starter in the league.
Day 3 prospects
Edge #6 Byron Young, Tennessee (6-3, 245): Started his career at junior college and coaches feel like this is his breakout season. He has 3.5 sacks, 10 QBH, and is leading the SEC in pressures through in the first 5 games. They need him to be effective against Alabama’s LT Tyler Steen. Fellow DE Tyler Baron (#9) has flashed at times, but I expect him to stay in school another season. He’s also a player to watch.
RT #58 Darnell Wright, Tennessee (6-6, 335): Top-rated recruit with an athletic build to fit the NFL profile. He hasn't allowed a quarterback hit so far this season. He'll offer some positional versatility - he’s played almost every position across the LOS - which is going to help his evaluation. His matchup against Will Anderson can really help (or hurt) his stock.
LB #10 Henry To’oTo’o, Alabama (6-2, 228): He started as a true freshman at Tennessee and transferred after a coaching change. This will be an emotional game for him and against him. We covered To’o To’o earlier this year and he’s the leading tackler for the Tide. Good college player that will contribute right away on ST at the next level but needs to improve eye discipline to have a long career.
DT #47 Bryon Young, Alabama (6-3, 292): Young is the best of a talented defensive line. The Tide rotates multiple players that will get a look at the next level. That’s been a big help for Young (he entered their defensive line rotation as a freshman) and it keeps him relatively fresh. Young lines up as a 3-4 end and is very sturdy in the run game. Depth player in the league with an early to mid-range Day 3.
G #55 Emil Ekiyor, Alabama (6-3, 307): The 3-year starter is really strong and once his hands lock, defenders don’t find the key. He’s a bull in the run game and last year at the Senior Bowl first-round pick Devonte Wyatt felt he was the best guard he played against last year. Technique, hand placement and pass strike, will be the areas he’ll need coaching.
TE #81 Cameron Latu, Alabama (6-5, 244): He was hurt to start the year but look for the Alabama offense to find ways to get him involved, especially in the red zone. He does have deceptive speed and competes as a blocker.
S #2 DeMarcco Hellas, Alabama (6-1, 208): He’s very good against the run and has played very well in Alabama’s biggest games so far this season. Rotates with Battle and Branch at times but he’s a draft pick in own right.
WR #3 Jermaine Burton, Alabama (6-0, 200): The transfer from Georgia is talented but a bit overrated (dating back to his time in Athens). Scouts will have a good handle on him from watching Alabama’s practices. I think his best trait is legit 4.4 speed and a competitive style. I see him as a depth player at the next level.
LB #33 Jeremy Banks (6-1, 224): He’s the backbone of the Tennessee front seven. He’s off to a slower start this year but last year he was one of the top tacklers in the SEC (128) and he can be effective on the blitz. He’s an aggressive player, which cuts both ways as a LB, and he’ll need to have a big game for the Vols.
I didn’t have Mike LB, Aaron Beasley, on my radar before the season. But in the two games I’ve watched, against Pitt and LSU, he was extremely productive (and better than Banks).
S #1 Trevon Flowers, Tennessee (5-11, 200): Third year as a starter and considered a leader within the program. He can make plays in the passing game (leads the Vols with 2 INTS this season and 5 career picks). Needs to do a better job disengaging from blocks in the run game but does rack up tackles. Day 3 pick that will provide depth and special teams value.
LB #42 Jaylen Moody, Alabama (6-2, 225): First year as a starter (not as much of a knock within this program) and he’s third on the team in tackles and second in sacks. He caught my eye in the game against Texas. Late-round target or PFA.
Recapping Last Week
BOSTON COLLEGE: Really made an effort to get the ball to WR Zay Flowers. He was by far their best player on the night and finished with 8 catches for 75 yards…QB Phil Jurkovec struggled with the pass rush in his face all night. His footwork and mechanics don’t marry enough which leads to inconsistency throwing the ball. For QBs, it’s even more imperative that mechanics are tight against a top pass-rushing unit (like Clemson). I believe Jurkovec’s stock is dropping significantly.
NO. 13 TCU: We previewed WR Quentin Johnston’s breakout last week and he was dominant in this game. If you watch his highlight reel, you’ll believe he’s a first-rounder. 14 catches for 206 yards and the game winning TD. He was a monster after the catch…QB Max Duggan continues to play himself into the draft. Over 350 total yards and 4 TDs (1 INT)…CB Trevius Hodges-Tomlinson had 6 tackles but Kansas was effective throwing the ball and they didn’t steer clear of him…OG Steve Avila was good in this game. He’s a late Day 2 or Day 3 pick…DE Dylan Horton came up empty on the stat sheet. TCU certainly needed his pressure.
NO. 19 KANSAS: S Kenny Logan Jr. was good in this game. He led all players with 12 tackles, had a key fumble recovery, and came back into the game after getting dinged up…C Mike Novitsky was largely effective although he had a 4th quarter penalty that Kansas had to overcome.
BYU: LT Blake Freeland was very good in this game. I think it’s more likely than not that he ends up as a first-rounder. He has really good feet and the reps against Foskey were solid. Freeland still hasn’t given up a sack in 2 seasons.
NOTRE DAME: DE Isaiah Foskey had 3 tackles and 1 pressure on a third down. The good news is that he’s got tape against the best tackles in the country. The bad news is that he doesn’t have much production against them.
NO. 11 UCLA: WR Mike Bobo had only 3 catches but 2 went for TDs. UCLA used him like we previewed last week. His first TD was excellent footwork along the back goal line and his second TD was against fellow prospect Clark Phillips III.
NO. 20 UTAH: CB Clark Phillips III had yet another INT for a TD (4th of his career and 5th INT this season). While most of the UCLA damage was away from him, he did give up a TD, didn’t show impressive speed on a long TD run, and doesn’t show much interest in the run game. He’ll probably be an All-American, but I don’t think he’s a scheme fit for the Patriots.