Tennessee's resilience, Kamara are concerns for top-ranked Tide

Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton drinks water during an NCAA college football practice, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
Alabama linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton drinks water during an NCAA college football practice, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2015, in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

TIDE, TAKE THREE

1. Alabama and Tennessee have met annually since 1928 with the exception of the 1943 season, when neither school fielded a team due to World War II.2. The Crimson Tide lead the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 69.2 yards per game and 2.2 yards per carry.3. Alabama will be playing its 66th career game as the Associated Press No. 1 team, and it’s the 42nd time with Nick Saban as coach.

Although Alabama has raced out to a 6-0 start this football season with wins by the average score of 45-16, the top-ranked Crimson Tide haven't always been at their best down the stretch.

This week, they travel to face the No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers, who have been sensational during the fourth quarter.

"They're definitely a four-quarter team, so we're definitely going to have to play for the full 60 minutes," Alabama junior inside linebacker Shaun Dion Hamilton said Monday in a news conference. "We're going to be in for a dogfight. No matter what the score is, they're going to keep on fighting.

"It just shows what kind of team they have."

That Tennessee is outscoring foes 90-28 in the fourth quarter this season - including a 21-7 advantage this past Saturday in its loss at Texas A&M - is sure to be harped on this week in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama gave up the final 13 points before pulling out a 48-43 win at Ole Miss on Sept. 17. The Crimson Tide led Arkansas 42-17 early in the third quarter this past weekend, but the Razorbacks racked up 400 passing yards and wouldn't go quietly in a 49-30 defeat.

"We can't relax in games," coach Nick Saban said in his weekly news conference. "We can't let up and have lapses in games. We always talk about no scoreboard and keep playing, but when you relax, you let the momentum of the game change, and that's hard to get back. The way people score points now - there have been numerous games where people are ahead by 21 points and end up losing.

"You're either in control of the game or you're not, and if you don't stay in control of the game, you give the other team opportunities."

Tennessee trailed Florida 21-0 in the second quarter on Sept. 24 before winning 38-28 and trailed Georgia 17-0 in the second quarter on Oct. 1 before prevailing 34-31. The Vols fell behind Texas A&M 28-7 early in the third quarter.

Playing a role in Tennessee's late-game resurgences this season has been Alvin Kamara, who refused to be subdued during the 45-38 loss to the Aggies that wasn't decided until double overtime. Kamara rushed for 127 yards and had 161 receiving yards in totaling three touchdowns.

Kamara started his college career as a member of Alabama's 2013 signing class but redshirted that year and transferred out in January 2014. He played the 2014 season at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where he rushed for 1,211 yards in nine games, and then returned to the Southeastern Conference by signing with Tennessee.

"Alvin, to me, is an outstanding player," Saban said. "I think he's got great speed, and he's very instinctive. He's a very good receiver. He's good at running the ball inside or out, and he uses his speed to his advantage on the perimeter and loose plays, whether they're screens or whatever.

"He's a fantastic player who just has a lot of production, and he is used very well in their offense relative to making it difficult to defend him and the quarterback."

Alabama senior inside linebacker Reuben Foster and senior guard Alphonse Taylor missed Monday's 75-minute practice due to concussions suffered at Arkansas. Saban hopes to have both of them back today.

Tide tidbits

Alabama's home game next week against visiting Texas A&M will be televised by CBS with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff.... Starting tackles Cam Robinson and Jonah Williams graded out at 88 and 86 percent, respectively, in Saturday's win at Arkansas.... Alabama has outscored foes by an average score of 37-14 during its 18-game winning streak dating back to last season.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

Upcoming Events