College Football Game Preview: No. 1 Alabama at No. 9 Tennessee

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Oct 8, 2016; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Damien Harris (34) goes over the top for an apparent touchdown during the first quarter of the game against Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. The play was overturned after a review by officials. Mandatory Credit: Brett Rojo-USA TODAY Sports /

Run the ball: Alabama’s running game this year may be their best in a while, and that’s saying something. They have so many capable runners, and are getting solid production from all of them. Damien Harris, Bo Scarbrough, Joshua Jacobs, BJ Emmons, and Jalen Hurts are five very capable of gashing defenses, and will need to run effectively to set up the rest of Alabama’s offense.

Contain the run: Josh Dobbs is a good runner for a quarterback, 324 yards and five touchdowns, and can throw well on the run. Alabama needs Shaun Dion Hamilton and Rashaan Evans on high alert Saturday to contain him and prevent big plays from Dobbs on the ground. It will also be difficult to contain Dobbs/Hurd/Kamara on the read option, it’s crucial that they limit their success there and force Dobbs to throw the ball. Dobbs this year is completing 58.3% of his passes for 1,433 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Win time of possession: Alabama is capable of pushing the tempo and running the hurry up when they need to, and they’re also capable of sustaining long time-consuming drives. Keeping the ball away from Tennessee’s offense will be a key, mainly considering their ability to come back in big games, and especially at home. If Alabama can manage some long scoring drives they’ll be in a good position to win this one.

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