Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel runs onto the field with his team during the first quarter against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
A game that has been circled on the Alabama Crimson Tide’s schedule for months, the program is set to make the trip to Knoxville this Saturday afternoon for a Top 15 showdown with the Tennessee Volunteers.
Known as “The Third Saturday in October,” the Volunteers are long-time rivals of Alabama, with the head-to-head series between the two dating back to 1901. Alabama has also owned the Volunteers in recent memory, as Tennessee has won only one game against the Crimson Tide since 2007, which came back in 2022.
The Volunteers however also gave Alabama some troubles a year ago in Tuscaloosa, but the Crimson Tide ended up coming back in that contest to hand Tennessee a 34-20 defeat.
With the two now set to renew their head-to-head rivalry this Saturday, let’s take a look at everything that you need to know about the 2024 Tennessee Volunteers going into Week 8:
Overview
Oct 5, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; General view of a Tennessee Volunteers helmet prior to the game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images
Team Name: Tennessee Volunteers
Conference: SEC
Stadium: Neyland Stadium, Knoxville, Tennessee
2024 Record: 5-1 overall (2-1 in SEC)
Ranking: No. 11 in AP Poll, No. 10 in US LBM Coaches Poll
The Tennessee Volunteers come into this Week 8 matchup as one of college football’s top teams, sitting at 5-1 overall for the 2024 season, as well as 2-1 in SEC play. Tennessee also comes into Saturday ranked as a consensus Top 15 nationally, and own a resume that is headlined by a road win at Oklahoma, but also includes a road loss at Arkansas.
Coaching Staff
Oct 12, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Josh Heupel waits for his team to huddle for a time out during a game against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Tennessee is led by fourth-year head coach Josh Heupel, who has compiled a combined 32-13 record since taking over the Volunteers program back in 2021. Halzle is also in his second year as the Volunteers offensive coordinator, while Banks, who is a veteran DC at the collegiate level, is in his fourth season in charge of the Tennessee defense.
Offensive Stats
Sep 14, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) warms up prior to the game against the Kent State Golden Flashes at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-Imagn Images
PPG: 42.2 (No. 9 in NCAA)
Total Yards Per Game: 484.5
Passing Yards Per Game: 238.3
Rushing Yards Per Game: 246.2
Through six games, Tennessee is one of the nation’s top scoring teams offensively at No. 9 overall nationally, while also ranking second in the SEC at 42.2 PPG. Despite some struggles in SEC play as well, the Volunteers still have the conference’s No. 1 rushing offense at 246.2 yards per game, while also ranking No. 3 with 484.5 total yards per game.
Defensive Stats
Oct 12, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers linebacker Arion Carter (7) celebrates after a play against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Angelina Alcantar/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
PPG: 10.7 (No. 4 in NCAA)
Total Yards Per Game: 249.8
Passing Yards Per Game: 170.2
Rushing Yards Per Game: 79.7
Tennessee’s defense has been one of the best in college football this season, ranking No. 4 in the nation with an average of 10.7 PPG allowed, as well as No. 3 in the SEC. The Volunteers are also ranking No. 2 in the SEC in both total and rushing yards per game allowed, and also rank No. 4 in passing yards per game.
Offensive Names to Know
Oct 12, 2024; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Tennessee Volunteers running back Dylan Sampson (6) scores a touchdown against the Florida Gators at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Dylan Sampson, Running Back
Nico Iamaleava, Quarterback
Dont’e Thornton, Wide Receiver
Squirrel White, Wide Receiver
Cooper Mays, Center
Tennessee has numerous playmakers offensively that could give Alabama’s defense issues, which is headlined by the SEC’s leading rusher in Dylan Sampson. The Volunteers also have a talented quarterback in Iamaleava, as well as a deep group of wide receivers that include Thornton, White, Chris Brazzell II, and Bru McCoy.
Defensive Names to Know
Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive lineman James Pearce Jr. (27) during pregame activities against the North Carolina State Wolfpack at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
James Pearce Jr., Defensive Line
Will Brooks, Safety
Arion Carter, Linebacker
Joshua Josephs, Defensive Line
Jeremiah Telander, Linebacker
Tennessee’s defense is led by one of the nation’s premier pass rushers in Pearce, who led the SEC in sacks a year ago. The Volunteers will however be without one of their top players in linebacker Keenan Pili, who recently suffered a season-ending injury.
This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama 2024 Opponent Preview: Tennessee Volunteers
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Publish date : 2024-10-16 09:01:00
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