Saban: Rivarly with Vols Is ‘Special’
Published at(TUSCALOOSA, Ala.) — Fourth ranked Alabama (6-1) is expecting everything they can handle against Tennessee (3-4) on Saturday.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban called the game this week “one of the great rivalry games in college football. [It] certainly has a lot of tradition and something that’s been very special and means a lot to a lot of our fans.”
The Vols are still searching for their first win in the SEC after losing three straight in their conference matchups.
Tennessee’s defense has allowed 21.3 points per game this season and Alabama’s offense is averaging 36.9.
“They’re big, they’re physical up front, a very typical Alabama offensive line,” Tennessee coach Butch Jones said. “I think they’re playing to the strengths of their players. They did a lot of quick screens, a lot of dual packages where you have the run and the pass option off of it. I think they’re doing a great job.”
The game also will be the return of Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, who left Tennessee after a 7-6 season in 2009, which caused rioting on campus.
“The game is not about that,” Saban said. “The game is about the players and regardless of what fans think or what fans do, I think our coaches and our players need to focus on what we’re going to do in the game and how we’re going to help our players play our best.”
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