Jordan Battle previews facing Hendon Hooker and Tennessee's offense

Alabama has already been tested this season. The Crimson Tide may be undefeated, but they really had to sweat out a pair of nail-biter wins over Texas and Texas A&M. The road doesn’t get any easier, either, as ‘Bama faces three ranked teams in their next four games, with a trip to Neyland Stadium against No. 6 Tennessee looming.

Hendon Hooker and the Volunteer offense are slicing through every opponent they face so far this season, but have yet to see a defensive unit as strong as Alabama. However, the Tide aren’t taking Tennessee lightly. Crimson Tide safety Jordan Battle respects the up-tempo Volunteer offense and knows the defense will have to adjust.

At a press conference this week, Battle went in-depth on the challenges Tennessee’s offense presents, especially to the safety position.

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Jordan Battle explains challenges of facing Tennessee offense

“Yeah, obviously the quick tempo, we know they’re gonna take shots, they’re gonna hurry up to the ball. So just focusing on practicing against the ball. Quickly getting ready to get lined up. Getting the call so we can play comfortable out there. So just doing that and practicing, making sure we’re comfortable in the game.

“We know all of the [wide receivers] are big, physical, they’re fast. So just keeping our eyes downfield, making sure nobody gets past us. Because as a safety, if there’s anybody who get past us, it’s usually a touchdown. So just being able to have our corners’ backs. And when we come down in coverage, being able to keep the ball covered and come up and make tackles.”

“Then, obviously, getting them get them in uncomfortable situations in the pocket, trying to get them to scramble a little bit, making sure we’re staying locked down on our guys in the deep end so we can give them time to get back there as well.

“The emphasis going into practice, getting guys running on and off the field every play, every situation we get. Whether it’s third and long, third and short, we know they’re gonna go fast. I know we got uh Texas A&M last week on the punt running guys off the field. That’s just gonna be a big emphasis this week.”