Nick Saban reveals biggest key for Alabama after early 13-0 deficit vs. Tennessee

Last week, Joe Milton threw for just 100 yards as Tennessee held off Texas A&M 20-13. It took him less than a quarter to hit that mark on Saturday against Alabama, totaling 126 yards and a touchdown to help the Volunteers take a 13-0 lead in the early going.

Tennessee had success on third down through the first quarter, converting four of its first seven attempts. According to Nick Saban, the biggest key for Alabama going forward will be to cut down on that number.

“Really, what we’ve got to do is get off the field on third down on defense,” Saban told CBS’ Jenny Dell. “We’ve had opportunities to get off the field, but they made three or four third downs that extend drives. When you play a team like this, you’ve got to get off the field.”

On the other side of the ball, Alabama struggled mightily through the first quarter-plus against Tennessee. The Crimson Tide had 66 total yards after their first four drives, one of which ended with a fumble by Jalen Milroe. Saban said getting into the positive will be critical if Alabama wants to get back into the game, and he has confidence in his staff’s ability to adjust.

“Offensively, we’ve just got to get it going,” Saban said. “We’ve just not had enough positive plays, but I think we’ll get a plan together and get it moving here.”

Alabama bounced back well in the second quarter. The Crimson Tide marched down the field for a nine-play, 85-yard drive to get on the board on a Jermaine Burton touchdown reception to cut the deficit to 13-7.

How Tennessee was able to get out to a fast start against Alabama

Tennessee’s fast start against Alabama was due in large part to the connection between Milton and Squirrel White. Of Milton’s first 19 pass attempts, seven were to White, who hauled them all in for 91 yards and an impressive touchdown reception.

Milton also helped out in the running game as he took four carries for 22 yards during the first quarter. That’s been a new part of his game this year as he entered Saturday’s matchup with a career-high 173 rushing yards through six games.

It only adds to the challenge for Saban, whose defense also has to account for Milton’s rocket arm. That’s why he again implored his team to lock in for all four quarters against Tennessee, which was the same message he had last week after the victory over Arkansas.

“I think there’s three things that are probably important,” Saban said pregame. “You’ve got to have a sense of urgency to start with, which is immediacy, aight? Then, you’ve got to have intensity and be able to sustain it in the game for 60 minutes. But then, you’ve also got to be intelligent and play smart and not make the kind of mental errors, penalties, things that help the other team, that are drive-stoppers for you so that you’re playing with the kind of consistency you need to play with for 60 minutes in the game.

“That’s what we’re teaching. That’s what we’re trying to teach. We’ll see what kind of teacher I am, I guess.”