Bama ready for rivalry game against Vols

By Staff
Alabama welcomes long-time rival Tennessee to Bryant-Denny Stadium today as the No. 1 ranked Crimson Tide try to stay undefeated.
The Volunteers are 4-4 in games played in Tuscaloosa, but have not pulled out a win in Bryant-Denny since a five-overtime thriller in 2003.
Tennessee's Montario Hardesty is averaging 112 rushing yards per game and has scored a touchdown in each of the Volunteers' games so far this season. He currently ranks 12th in the nation in rushing yards per game.
Volunteer quarterback Jonathan Crompton has rebounded from a slow start and has completed 40-of-70 passes for 569 yards, six touchdowns and only one interception during the last two games.
Despite these good numbers, the Volunteers might have a tough time finding the end zone. Alabama has not allowed a touchdown in the previous two games.
Alabama's offense – which started hot but has struggled to score touchdowns in the last two games – is led by Mark Ingram. He has rushed for 905 yards and eight touchdowns through the first eight games of the season, including 246 yards against South Carolina last week.
Tennessee's Rico McCoy and Eric Berry have both recorded at least 50 tackles for the Volunteer defense. Berry is also a threat to intercept a pass. He is second nationally among active players with 13 career interceptions.
If the game comes down to special teams, the advantage has to go to Alabama
Kicker Leigh Tiffin is third on the Crimson Tide career scoring list with 325 points. Return man Javier Arenas is the NCAA active leader in career punt returns, yards, touchdowns, returns per game and yards per game.