Tennessee Vs Alabama: Smokey Will Don The “Cone Of Shame”

Unranked Tennessee comes to T-Town to face No. 1 Alabama in the first night game to be played under the new lights at Bryant-Denny Stadium. During the off-season the stadium was outfitted with a new synchronized system much like LSU’s Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

Tonight’s game, the 102^nd meeting, will be Vols Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt’s first trip back to Bryant-Denny since taking the coaching job in December 2017.

The traditional Third Saturday in October hasn’t been competitive for the Rocky Toppers of late.  Bama has a 12-game winning streak that dates back to 2007.  In just the last three meetings the Tide won by a combined 152 to 38.

Will Tennessee start QB Brian Maurer or Jarrett Guarantano tonight?  Apparently, that decision will be made at game time.  Maurer is extremely talented, but there’s a drawback — he’s super error-prone.  Guarantano did a nice job last week against Cowbell U but his shockingly poor performances this season makes me think Maurer starts.

I hope his get-away sticks are strong because Alabama’s defense is devastating at shutting down the deep-passing game and any challenges by Maurer will end badly.

Vols LB Darrell Taylor spouted off this week referring to Tua Tagovailoa as a “decent quarterback”.  So, look for Tua to toss the pumpkin to receivers Jerry Jeudy and Devonta Smith a bunch for a decisive beatdown.