Alabama @ Tennessee preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 26, 2013 ) Tennessee 10, Alabama 45

Tennessee will be looking for its first win against Alabama since 2006 when the Vols host the fourth-ranked Crimson Tide in an SEC clash Saturday. Stopping Amari Cooper would be a good start for Tennessee, as the speedy receiver has hauled in 62 passes for 908 yards and seven touchdowns - putting him in the middle of the Heisman Trophy conversation. Alabama quarterback Blake Sims has done a fine job hitting his targets, completing 66.5 percent of his passes this season, which ranks in the top 20 in the nation.

Counterpart Justin Worley also has been efficient, completing 62.3 percent of his throws, but he’s been sacked 29 times and took a beating in last week’s loss to Ole Miss - leaving his status up in the air for Saturday. Worley has been an equal distributor when it comes to wide receivers Marquez North and Pig Howard, connecting 26 times with both, and freshman Josh Malone also should get some looks coming off his best game of five catches for 75 yards against Ole Miss. Alabama also should have the edge on the ground, owning the second-best run defense in the nation while anchored on offense by running back T.J Yeldon, who has recorded two 100-yard rushing efforts in the last three games and 14 for his career - one shy of the school record.

TV: 7:15 p.m. ET, ESPN2. LINE: Alabama -17.

ABOUT ALABAMA (6-1, 3-1 SEC): The offense did its part, but the defense also performed in last weekend’s 59-0 victory over Texas A&M - the Crimson Tide’s largest margin of victory since 1979. In addition to being second nationally against the run, Alabama is third in total defense and scoring defense, and sixth in first downs surrendered. One of the standouts has been cornerback Cyrus Jones, who switched from wide receiver to defensive back last season.

ABOUT TENNESSEE (3-4, 0-3): Jalen Hurd, the 6-3, 221-pound freshman running back, hasn’t done much since his 119-yard rushing effort in a three-point loss to No. 9 Georgia on Sept. 27, totaling 86 yards in three games. Tennessee has few other options as backup Marlin Lane returned for the Ole Miss game after missing the Chattanooga contest a week earlier with an ankle injury but had no carries and one reception for short yardage in limited action. Justus Pickett, a transfer from Maryland, could be next in line for increased action if Hurd continues to struggle and Lane remains gimpy.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Tennessee OLs Marcus Jackson and Coleman Thomas suffered injuries in the loss to Ole Miss, but both are on pace to return against Alabama.

2. Cooper needs one more 100-yard receiving performance to tie the program’s career record.

3. This will mark the 100th game at Alabama for coach Nick Saban.

PREDICTION: Alabama 45, Tennessee 21