Football preview: Third Saturday in October finds heated rivals Alabama, Tennessee in Top 10 matchup
Alabama did plenty of scoring in last week's win against Arkansas, but Coach Nick Saban is looking for better second-half control this week against Tennessee. (University of Alabama Athletics)
Tennessee has demonstrated its ability to dig out of deep holes and emerge a victor this season. Alabama coach Nick Saban appeared less concerned about the Vols during his press conference this week and more about the ability of his Crimson Tide to control its contests.
The Tide wraps up the Razorbacks. (University of Alabama Athletics)
“I don’t know if anyone noticed, but I wasn’t the happiest camper in the second half or after the game,” Saban said of Alabama’s 49-30 victory last week at Arkansas. “We weren’t in control of the game and we didn’t control the game. Sometimes you win but I don’t think we really controlled the game in the second half. That’s not something we can continue to do and continue to win.”
No. 1 Alabama will try to control the No. 9 Vols when they meet at 2:30 p.m. Saturday on CBS.
Meanwhile, Auburn, now ranked No. 23 in the Associated Press poll, has a bye week after trouncing Mississippi State 38-14. The Tigers’ next outing is Oct. 22 at No. 22 Arkansas.
OTHER STATE SCHOOLS
Tuskegee: The Golden Tigers are idle this week before hosting Kentucky State next week for homecoming.
Miles at Kentucky State: Speaking of the Thoroughbreds, Kentucky State (2-4 overall, 2-0 in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) is hosting the Golden Bears for homecoming at 1 p.m. Central in Frankfort, Ky. Miles (3-2, 1-0) is coming off a 36-0 homecoming win over Central State.
South Alabama at Arkansas State: Following their 42-24 upset of then-No. 19 San Diego State, the Jaguars return to Sun Belt Conference action at 6 p.m. with their sights on extending their two-game win streak.
The Samford Bulldogs carry a national ranking into this week’s game with VMI. (Samford Athletics)
Austin Peay at Jacksonville State: The Gamecocks (4-1) look to experience a Red Out with their 1 p.m. kickoff in a game that’s available on the OVC Digital Network. JSU held its ground at No. 4 nationally in the Coaches Poll.
Shorter at North Alabama: The Lions are coming off an unscheduled bye week, courtesy of Hurricane Matthew. Now they host the Hawks at 6 p.m. for homecoming. Despite being idle, UNA climbed to No. 10 in the American Football Coaches Association poll for its first appearance in the Top Ten since Oct. 5, 2015. This week’s poll marks the 37th consecutive week that the Lions have been nationally ranked.
West Alabama at West Georgia: The Tigers (3-3) kick off at 1 p.m. Central in a game that can be seen on ESPN3.
Alabama A&M at Arkansas-Pine Bluff: The script was flipped on the Bulldogs last week as they were outscored 28-3 in the second half by Alcorn State. As a result, they dropped to 1-5 this season. A&M will again bid for win No. 2 at 2:30 p.m. as the Golden Lions celebrate homecoming.
Mississippi Valley State at Alabama State: The Hornets (1-5) came close to notching their second win before falling in overtime to Prairie View A&M. Kickoff this week is at 2 p.m.
Georgia State at Troy: The Trojans (4-1, 2-0 in the Sun Belt Conference) play at 2:30 p.m. in a game that can be seen on ESPN3.
LaGrange at Huntingdon: The Hawks got back on track last week after losing their prior game. Kickoff this week is at 1 p.m.
Birmingham-Southern at Millsaps: The Panthers (1-5) are on the road again, this time for a 1 p.m. Central kickoff.
VMI at Samford: The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1) moved into the national polls this week, ranking 24th in both the STATS FCS poll and the FCS Coaches poll. They host the Keydets at 2 p.m. on ESPN3.
HIGH SCHOOLS
7A: Central-Phenix City, No. 4 in the latest Alabama Sports Writers Association poll, hosts No. 8 Lee-Montgomery.
6A: No. 5 Minor hosts No. 8 Clay-Chalkville.
5A: No. 1 St. Paul’s welcomes No. 9 Vigor.
4A: Surprising Dale County is 6-2 after a 1-9 season in 2015; they were 14-1 in 2014. The Warriors of Coach Pate Harrison head to Montgomery in Region 2 to take on 7-1 St. James, coached by former Lee-Montgomery head coach and Auburn University assistant Jimmy Perry. Each is 4-0 in region play.
3A: No. 3 Montevallo is at No. 2 Gordo. With the Region 4 title on the line, this is the biggest game in years for Montevallo.
2A: Luverne (5-2) is at defending state champ and No. 3-ranked Elba (6-1), and No. 9 Goshen (6-1) is at New Brockton (4-3) with only two region losses between them. These games should clear things up some in Region 3.
1A: Marengo (5-2) is at No. 2 Linden (7-0). The Patriots are scoring 55.1 points per game and have allowed 28 points total (4 per game) all year. The winner will be Region 1 champion.
AISA: No. 8 Fort Dale hosts No. 3 Monroe Academy in a top-10 battle in a region contest.
