What Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said about facing Alabama
The Third Saturday in October is upon us this weekend as No. 7 Alabama and No. 11 Tennessee will renew one of the best rivalries not only in the South, but in all of college football.
The game has tremendous stakes, both in terms of the rivalry and in terms of each team’s broader goals for the season and the postseason, as each team holds a 5-1 record entering the weekend.
Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel, set for his fourth meeting against Alabama, joined the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday morning and discussed the matchup. Here’s what he said about Alabama:
Overall thoughts on the game…
“Another big football game here in Knoxville, Tennessee. Historical rival against a great opponent that everybody in our program points to every single year, and our fanbase obviously. This is a really good football team that we’re playing. They play well in all three phases, good personnel, good coaching. A huge test for us, but one that we’re looking forward to the challenge.”
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On Jalen Milroe…
“He’s somebody that’s got unique athletic traits. His strength, speed, power, elusiveness as a runner. He’s had that since the beginning, and I just think he’s got really good command and control, understands defensive structure and has gotten his eyes with the more time that he’s played in the right spot, comfort inside of the pocket. He’s still dynamic when he pulls it, but he’s pulling it when things aren’t right down the football field. He’s throwing the football extremely accurately. Obviously that’s a huge part of what we’ve got to do defensively is not let him get all over the football field as a runner, and that’s quarterback designed run, it’s read game, when the pocket breaks down. We’ve got to do a good job on their skill, extremely talented, playing at a high level. We’ve got to a great job of winning some of those 1-on-1s.”
On himself and Kalen DeBoer both being from South Dakota…
“First time I’ve come across it in my career. I’ve known Kalen for a long time. He’s always done a really good job everywhere that he’s been. Certainly doing a good job at Alabama, too. I’m sure there’s gonna be a lot of people in South Dakota watching the game, too.”
Kickoff between Alabama and Tennessee is set for 2:30 p.m. CT on Saturday, and will air on ABC.
