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2005-2006
College Football Season
CollegeJersey.com
Game Of The Week
Sponsored by:
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Preview:
Tennessee at Alabama
By Douglas
Kroll
Courtesy: CollegeJersey.com
The year opened with the Tennessee
Volunteers ranked third in the country and in high hopes for
a national championship. Two losses later, has the Vols sitting
17th in the country, while their bitter rival has charged into
the Rose Bowl picture.
The Crimson Tide of Alabama is one of the few remaining undefeated
teams in the country and face off against the Tennessee Volunteers
on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, AL. In one of the most storied rivalries
in college football which dates back to 1901, Alabama leads the
all-time series 43-37-7. Tennessee has won the last nine out
of ten meetings with the Tide, which includes a classic game
the last time they traveled to ‘Bama when they won a 51-43
five overtime thriller.
The Volunteers have had one of the tougher schedules the last
few weeks, as this Saturday marks the fourth time in five weeks
the Vols will face a team in the top ten. UT lost to #6 Florida
16-7, beat #4 LSU 30-27 in OT, and lost to #5 Georgia 27-14.
The Volunteers were dealt a serious blow against Georgia when
two-time captain and career leading tackler Jason Allen sustained
a hip injury that will cost him the rest of the season. The pre-season
All-American led the SEC last year in tackles.
After a quarterback controversy plagued the team, Rick Clausen
has emerged as the team’s starter and thrown for 185 yards
per game along with three touchdowns and three interceptions.
Gerald Riggs Jr. is averaging 92 yards on the ground for the
Vols and has scored three times.
Former Alabama starting quarterback Mike Shula leads the Tide
in his third season as head coach. Alabama remained undefeated
last weekend with a last second field goal against Mississippi.
The Tide’s huge win that vaulted them into the top ten was
a 31-3 thrashing of then #5 Florida.
The Tide has been led all season by very efficient quarterback
Brodie Croyle. He has throw 9 touchdowns with only 2 interceptions
while averaging 224 yards per game. Croyle has also not thrown
an interception in his last 127 attempts. Running back Kenneth
Darby has also averaged 5.5 yards per carry and 102 yards per
game. Fullback Tim Castille leads the team with six touchdowns
on the ground.
The Crimson Tide looks for its first 7-0 start since 1996. Kickoff
is set for 3:30 Eastern on CBS.
Douglas
Kroll is an independent contributor to College Football Poll.com. |
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