Alabama Preview: Top ranked Tide face tricky test at revamped Vanderbilt
Just one week removed from the biggest victory in the young Kalen DeBoer era, unbeaten and top ranked Alabama travels to Nashville to take on the Vanderbilt Commodores. Vandy had a week off following a heartbreaking overtime loss at seventh ranked Missouri and is off to an impressive (by Vandy standards) 2-2 start, which includes an opening day upset of Virginia Tech. Kickoff is set for 4:15 EST and will be carried by the SEC Network.
It will be interesting to see what mindset the Tide brings to their SEC road opener. The Nick Saban era was filled with unparalleled success from top to bottom, and one of the most impressive aspects of his tenure was the fact that Bama almost always followed up huge victories with dominating performances. Can DeBoer’s Tide follow suit? How will the Tide handle success? Alabama is coming off a victory for the ages, edging then second ranked Georgia in an instant classic, 41-34. The physicality of the game as well as the emotional toll such a contest can take will have to be managed by the Bama staff, as Vanderbilt, the longtime doormat of the mighty SEC, has shown signs of life so far this season. Beating the ACC preseason darling Hokies, as well as pushing a strong Missouri squad to overtime should have the Tide’s attention.
Coach Clark Lea is the captain of the Commodores ship, and with help from the transfer portal, he has his most talented team since arriving in Nashville four years ago. Leading the way is dynamic New Mexico State transfer quarterback Diego Pavia, who has completed 63% of his passes and has connected on 6 touchdown passes without an interception. Pavia is also the ‘Dores leading rusher, averaging 3.9 yards per carry with 2 touchdowns to his name. Sophomore running backs Sedrick Alexander and AJ Newberry have been steady on the ground and have combined for 3 touchdowns. Senior tight end Eli Stowers leads the team in receiving yards, averaging 11.6 per grab. Even though reliable sophomore placekicker Brock Taylor missed a 31-yard field goal against Missouri in overtime that cost Vandy a shot in a second overtime, he has hit on 7 of 10 attempts this season with a long kick of 57 yards. As a unit, the ‘Dores are averaging 37 points per game while the defense is giving up 23. The linebacking corps appears to be Vanderbilt’s strength on defense and is led by junior Langston Patterson and sophomore Bryan Longwell.
For the Tide, Jalen Milroe’s heroics against Georgia have elevated him to legendary status and has thrust him towards the front of the Heisman discussion. The junior quarterback is completing an impressive 73% and has thrown for 10 touchdowns against a single interception. For the past two games, the offensive line has performed well protecting Milroe, but their run blocking has been met with mixed reviews. Milroe is an incredibly smooth runner, and he leads the Tide in rushing, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. He has 8 touchdowns to his name on the ground. Even though Milroe’s performance against Georgia was notable, the talk of the town has been freshman receiver Ryan Williams, who’s acrobatic 75-yard catch and run for a touchdown turned out to be the difference against the Bulldogs. Williams leads the team in receptions, averaging an incredible 28.9 yards per catch, and touchdown catches with 5. The running back room is deep and talented but has yet to break out. Junior Jam Miller is averaging 8 yards a carry and has scored 3 touchdowns with sophomore Justice Haynes also averages 8 yards per carry and has scored 2 touchdowns. Placekicker Graham Nicholson has hit on 1 of his 2 attempts on the season while punter James Burnip is amongst the nation’s best, averaging 44.5 yards per boot. Overall, DeBoer’s offense averages 47 points per game. Defensively, the Tide is giving up 15 points per game and are led by senior linebackers Jihaad Campbell and Deontae Lawson. Senior safety Malachi Moore leads a young secondary that is starting to find its way.
This is a big game for both teams. A Vandy win, or even a close game, will certainly legitimize the Commodores as a team to be reckoned with. Easier said than done, as the last two games between Alabama and Vanderbilt has resulted in a 112-3 Tide advantage. It will be interesting to see how the first quarter goes, as Vanderbilt will look to hang around as long as they can. Look for Pavia and the ‘Dores to get off to a good start, and they may even keep this game close for a half. Eventually, a hungry Tide hits their stride, and the post-Georgia hangover runs its course. Milroe should have another strong day and also look for the running game to hit another gear. Bama rolls on.
Alabama 48
Vanderbilt 14
