Jalen Milroe on facing Tennessee's defensive front: 'We're going to have a lot of fun'

The 31 sacks allowed by Alabama’s offensive line through seven games is the fourth-highest total in college football this season. Tennessee’s 24 sacks on defense, on the other hand, are tied for fifth most in the country.

Still, while meeting with reporters on Monday, Alabama starting quarterback Jalen Milroe didn’t sound all that concerned about his offensive line and the challenge they’ll face slowing down the Vols.

“We’re going to have a lot of fun,” Milroe said. “We don’t care about none of that. It’s another opportunity for us to have fun. We get to play in front of our fans this weekend, so we’re excited for that. 

“A lot of energy will be floating in the air with playing a great opponent, and it’s going to be a lot of fun this weekend. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”

No. 11 Alabama (6-1, 4-0 SEC) hosts No. 17 Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) on Saturday afternoon (3:30 p.m. Eastern Time, CBS) in the latest installment of the Third Saturday in October rivalry.

‘Hell yeah’ Nick Saban is concerned about Alabama’s 31 sacks allowed

On Monday afternoon, Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in no uncertain terms that he’s worried about the number of sacks of his offensive line has allowed this season. 

“Hell yeah,” Saban said.

The 31 sacks allowed by Alabama ranks 130th in the country with only Colorado (35), Old Dominion (33) and South Florida (32) giving up more. The Tide allowed just 22 sacks in 13 games last season.

According to BamaOnline, there have been 71 pressures allowed by the Alabama offensive line this season. Freshman left tackle Kadyn Proctor has responsibility for 18 of the 71 and has given up seven sacks in seven games, which leads the team. Proctor has been rotating with Elijah Pritchett at the position for the last month.

“I do think we have guys that are capable,” Saban said. “I think it goes back to that same attention to detail. There’s little things like in certain protections, I know I have inside help. So why would I get beat outside? Does that make sense? 

“These are not all capability issues. Some of them are things that we could fix. When we’re sliding out, to block 3-on-3, and the guy doesn’t slide out to block the third guy and he runs in to sack the quarterback, that’s a mental error. That’s not a physical problem. 

“It’s a combination of all those things that need to get cleaned up with better communication, better execution, and maybe the more knowledge and experience we’ll get, the more we’ll be able to be more effective and consistent in those areas.”

No. 17 Tennessee at No. 11 Alabama, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

Tennessee’s 24.0 sacks are the third most in the SEC, behind Texas A&M (29.0) and Alabama (26.0). The Vols are second in the league in tackles for loss with 52.0. 

Sophomore James Pearce Jr. has been a breakout star during the first half of the season, recording 6.0 sacks, tied for the second most by any player in the SEC. Tyler Baron in sixth in the league with 5.0 sacks of his own. 

Tennessee had two sacks, five tackles for loss and a season-high 11 quarterback hurries in the 20-13 win over Texas A&M on Saturday. The Vols gave up a touchdown on A&M’s opening drive, but didn’t allow the Aggies to get back in the end zone the rest of the game.

The defense had six sacks and eight tackles for loss two weeks ago against South Carolina. They had a season-high seven sacks and 14 tackles for loss against Austin Peay on September 

“Just really proud of the effort (against Texas A&M),” Tennessee coach Josh Heupel said during his press conference on Monday. “All 11 that were out there on the football field. Up front, front six, front seven, and in particular our front four. Just played really good football, man. They came off the ball. They were destructive in the run game, guys snagging off and making plays, backdoor cuts, playing with gap integrity, second-level fit extremely well. 

“And then the ability to get after the quarterback with just the front four rush, too. Felt those guys did a really good job of changing the way the game was played. I feel like they are continuing to improve as we go through this season. Proud of the effort. We’re gonna need a great one from on this Saturday, too.”