'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The No. 11-ranked Tennessee Volunteers (5-1) will host the No. 7 Alabama Crimson Tide (5-1) on Saturday. It is a Week 8 matchup between two strong teams that have performed below their standards the past two weeks.
Both have lost in recent weeks, Tennessee 19-14 to Arkansas and Alabama 40-35 to Vanderbilt. They bounced back with wins on Saturday, but in closer games than they should have had against their opponents. Tennessee won 23-17 over Florida, and Alabama defeated South Carolina 27-25.
Heading into the Vols matchup, Jalen Milroe and the Alabama Crimson Tide are the favorites, but only slightly. If the Tennessee defense can make things difficult for Milroe, the Volunteers can win this game. Fortunately for them, they have several players capable of doing just that.
3 Tennessee players Jalen Milroe and Alabama should be scared of heading into Week 8
Alabama is a capable offensive team, putting up over 40 points in four games this year, including 41 against No. 5 Georgia. However, last week the Tide were held to only 27 points against South Carolina, so Jalen Milroe and his offense can be slowed down. These three players are key to the Volunteers achieving that.
#1 Will Brooks
Defensive back Will Brooks is one of the key defenders for Tennessee. He is extremely effective in limiting the opposing team's wide receivers and has the stats to back it up. He is tied for the lead in total tackles with 29 and leads the Vols in solo tackles with 14.
Additionally, Brooks has shown that if he gets the opportunity, he can intercept the ball and run for big yardage. He has one interception, which came against NC State, and he ran it back 85 yards for a touchdown. Lastly, he is tied for the team lead with three passes defended.
#2 Keenan Pili
Linebacker Keenan Pili is a key piece of the defensive line for the Volunteers. He is tied with Brooks for the team lead in total tackles with 29, which includes 11 solo efforts. He is a steady presence for the Volunteers and capable of putting pressure on the quarterback.
#3 Omarr Norman-Lott
Although defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott does not stand out in total tackles with 10, he leads the team in sacks with 2.5. This could be crucial because Alabama has shown it will let defenders get to Jalen Milroe. Last week the Crimson Tide allowed four sacks against South Carolina, and it nearly cost them the game.
