KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee coaches spent Alabama week talking less about peaking and more about consistency, pointing to a pair of breakout performers as the No. 14 Vols prepare for the No. 6 Crimson Tide at Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Kickoff for the Third Saturday in October is set for 3:30 p.m. Tennessee is 5-1 and 2-1 in SEC play after a 24-17 win at Arkansas, its first victory in Fayetteville since 2001. Alabama arrives off a three-point loss to Georgia.
Co-defensive coordinator Anthony Poindexter singled out defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam, who had a strip sack, a fumble recovery and 1.5 tackles for loss against the Razorbacks. The Penn State transfer leads the Vols with 10 tackles for loss, five sacks and 22 pressures. Poindexter said Gilliam understands the system and is playing at a high level, and he stressed that the defense still has room to improve its tackling.
That point stuck after Arkansas. Tennessee pitched a first-half shutout but gave up 17 points after halftime before regrouping in the fourth quarter. Poindexter said the team has not peaked and has to show up every day ready to get better.
On offense, tight ends coach Alec Abeln praised sophomore DaSaahn Brame, who caught three passes for a game-high 87 yards and ran for a 1-yard touchdown at Arkansas. Abeln said the unit has been solid but not dominant and is still chasing another level of physical play. He also noted freshman tight end Luca Wolf is earning more snaps through his work in practice.
The quarterback question remains open. Head coach Josh Heupel said Monday the starter against Alabama would be settled through the week of practice.
Saturday also brings a throwback look. Both teams will wear their home jerseys, orange for Tennessee and crimson for Alabama, for the first time since Oct. 17, 1970, when the Vols won 24-0 at Neyland behind a school-record eight interceptions.
