Wiedmer: UT's Mike DeBord confident in Vols offense

KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike DeBord knows well what he's up against Saturday when the Volunteers visit eighth-ranked Alabama.

"It starts up front," he said Tuesday evening as he discussed the Crimson Tide defense, which is sixth nationally in yards allowed (271 per game) and 15th in points surrendered (16.7).

Tennessee quarterback Joshua Dobbs passes while airborne during their SEC football game against Georgia at Neyland Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Knoxville, Tenn. Tennessee won 38-31.

"Then you go to their linebackers and secondary, and I just can't begin to stress how athletic those guys are. They're athletic, quick and fast."

But can the Vols counter that supreme talent? Can they prove that their penchant for avoiding turnovers (seventh best nationally with five total) can carry the day against a Bama defense that likewise stands seventh nationally in forcing turnovers (16 total)?

To a bigger point, can a UT team coming off an off week do enough to snap an eight-game losing streak to a Tide team playing its eighth straight game without a break?

"Ever since Butch (Jones) has been a head coach he's emphasized taking care of the football," DeBord said. "And we've done a pretty good job of that all year, especially Josh."

Josh, of course, is Tennessee junior quarterback Josh Dobbs, who first widened the eyes of Vols fan two years ago during a 45-10 setback to the Tide in Tuscaloosa. And despite the scarcity of his miscues, Dobbs actually has more turnovers (two interceptions and a fumble) than the rest of the team combined (2).

But considering he had six interceptions in both 2013 and 2014 in more limited duty, and two lost fumbles last year, such numbers speak volumes concerning his maturity.

"Josh was inconsistent in the spring," DeBord said. "There were things he could do but also inconsistencies in his game. But right before training camp he came to me and said, 'I'm going to show everybody what I can do.' And he has."

Indeed, Dobbs has eight passing TDs, five rushing TDs and just two interceptions while rushing for more than 61 yards a game. Heading into this season he had thrown for 11 total TDs with 12 total interceptions.

"There's been a big change to his approach in practice," DeBord said. "More disciplined."

Maybe that will be enough to upset the Tide and maybe not. But Tennessee's offense looks almost as scary as Bama's defense.

The Vols are averaging 37.17 points, which is good for third in the league behind Ole Miss and LSU. They're also averaging 434.67 yards a game, which trails only those two teams and Texas A&M.

Of course, given the Tide's defense, UT probably will need its best offensive effort of the year to make it a game. Especially since the Vols' overall defense ranks 87th in the latest NCAA stats to the Tide's No. 6 mark and is surrendering nearly 150 yards a game more than Bama.

"I think they're probably better (defensively) than anybody we've played," DeBord said of the Tide. "Again, I can't stress how athletic they are. They force so many turnovers. We've got to be patient. That's really important against Alabama."

If anyone thinks Dobbs isn't listening to his coordinator, that he hasn't already snapped and cleared the monster win over Georgia from his head, merely consider this quote from the junior this week: "That win was great. We're thankful for it and we're moving forward."

Only a fool would say Team 119 hasn't moved past Team 118 in consistent performance. Win or lose Saturday, these Vols still appear more than capable of finishing the regular season 8-4, which would be a two-game improvement over last year's mark, despite playing an arguably tougher schedule thanks to road games at Florida, Alabama and Missouri.

But it's something else DeBord said that may best show how far this program has come, regardless of what happens Saturday.

Recalling that the winning touchdown by Dobbs in the Georgia game was run behind freshman linemen Chance Hall and Jack Jones, DeBord said, "That just shows the confidence we have in them. I have confidence in whoever is playing for us."

If that confidence can keep the Vols' turnovers at bay against the SEC's best defense, UT just might turn over a new leaf by beating Bama for the first time since Nick Saban took over the Tide in 2007.

Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.