Alabama’s 52-49 loss at Tennessee last October marked the most points allowed by the Crimson Tide since a 54-4 loss to Sewanee in 1907.
Last year’s result is having to be relived by Alabama defenders this week, and replacing that memory with a new one is an obvious objective as the No. 11 Crimson Tide await the No. 19 Volunteers.
“We’ve just got to make sure we get on the same page,” redshirt sophomore linebacker Deontae Lawson said in a news conference. “Everyone has to get lined up, and we’ve got to make sure we stop their run game. That will be a big piece to this game.”
Twelve months ago inside Neyland Stadium, it was an aerial combination that caused most of the surprise devastation. Vols quarterback Hendon Hooker threw for 385 yards and five touchdowns, with all five going to speedy receiver Jalin Hyatt, who amassed 207 yards and matched a Southeastern Conference record for single-game receiving scores.