Which team projects as Alabama's biggest challenge moving forward: Texas A&M or Tennessee?
Andrea Adelson: Texas A&M
Tennessee has won its biggest games on literal prayers and double-digit comebacks. Is that feasible throughout the course of a season and, more specifically, against Alabama? It hardly seems so. At some point, the luck will run out against better teams. Texas A&M is vastly improved on defense under coordinator John Chavis, and Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight is playing well at quarterback. Outside of the opener against UCLA, the Aggies have had their games well in hand in the fourth quarter. They are the biggest test.
Edward Aschoff: Texas A&M
The Aggies run more of the zone-read, spread offense that has been an issue for Alabama in the past. Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs is one of the best mobile quarterbacks around, but Knight has used his legs more effectively this season, and I think he could give Alabama more of a downfield issue with his arm. Also, A&M's defensive line is one of the best Alabama will see all season.
Ted Miller: Tennessee
I'm not sure if either rates as a big challenge; they are both good but flawed teams while Alabama seems to have all the pieces in place. On a head-to-head level, you'd think playing Tennessee on the road (next week) would be a bigger challenge for the Tide than playing host to Texas A&M (Oct. 22). Also, as things presently project, it's likely that Alabama will play Tennessee again in the SEC title game. So, in terms of challenge, having to beat Tennessee twice away from Tuscaloosa rates higher than dispatching A&M once in the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny.
Adam Rittenberg: Tennessee
I'm going with the Vols even though I believe they will lose Saturday at Texas A&M. Tennessee is a bigger challenge because Alabama likely will see the Vols twice, once in Knoxville and once in Atlanta for the SEC championship game. Alabama's lone meeting with Texas A&M, meanwhile, comes in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee is an excellent second-half team but is still looking for a complete game. If the veteran-laden Vols can get healthier on defense, they're capable of upsetting a younger Alabama team.
Chris Low: Tennessee
I'm going with the Vols for two reasons. The Alabama-Tennessee game is in Knoxville, although road venues haven't seemed to bother the Crimson Tide, but the bigger reason is that it's starting to feel like this might be Tennessee's year. The Vols have already ended an 11-game losing streak to Florida, have wiped out a combined 62-point deficit to win four games, and beat Georgia at the buzzer on a Hail Mary touchdown pass. Something else to consider is that Tennessee's defensive line matches up well with Alabama's offensive line. The Vols came close to pulling off the upset last season in Tuscaloosa, and some on Alabama's staff said after the season that nobody challenged them physically the way Tennessee did.
Andrea Adelson: Texas A&M
Tennessee has won its biggest games on literal prayers and double-digit comebacks. Is that feasible throughout the course of a season and, more specifically, against Alabama? It hardly seems so. At some point, the luck will run out against better teams. Texas A&M is vastly improved on defense under coordinator John Chavis, and Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight is playing well at quarterback. Outside of the opener against UCLA, the Aggies have had their games well in hand in the fourth quarter. They are the biggest test.
Edward Aschoff: Texas A&M
The Aggies run more of the zone-read, spread offense that has been an issue for Alabama in the past. Tennessee's Joshua Dobbs is one of the best mobile quarterbacks around, but Knight has used his legs more effectively this season, and I think he could give Alabama more of a downfield issue with his arm. Also, A&M's defensive line is one of the best Alabama will see all season.
Ted Miller: Tennessee
I'm not sure if either rates as a big challenge; they are both good but flawed teams while Alabama seems to have all the pieces in place. On a head-to-head level, you'd think playing Tennessee on the road (next week) would be a bigger challenge for the Tide than playing host to Texas A&M (Oct. 22). Also, as things presently project, it's likely that Alabama will play Tennessee again in the SEC title game. So, in terms of challenge, having to beat Tennessee twice away from Tuscaloosa rates higher than dispatching A&M once in the friendly confines of Bryant-Denny.
Adam Rittenberg: Tennessee
I'm going with the Vols even though I believe they will lose Saturday at Texas A&M. Tennessee is a bigger challenge because Alabama likely will see the Vols twice, once in Knoxville and once in Atlanta for the SEC championship game. Alabama's lone meeting with Texas A&M, meanwhile, comes in Tuscaloosa. Tennessee is an excellent second-half team but is still looking for a complete game. If the veteran-laden Vols can get healthier on defense, they're capable of upsetting a younger Alabama team.
Chris Low: Tennessee
I'm going with the Vols for two reasons. The Alabama-Tennessee game is in Knoxville, although road venues haven't seemed to bother the Crimson Tide, but the bigger reason is that it's starting to feel like this might be Tennessee's year. The Vols have already ended an 11-game losing streak to Florida, have wiped out a combined 62-point deficit to win four games, and beat Georgia at the buzzer on a Hail Mary touchdown pass. Something else to consider is that Tennessee's defensive line matches up well with Alabama's offensive line. The Vols came close to pulling off the upset last season in Tuscaloosa, and some on Alabama's staff said after the season that nobody challenged them physically the way Tennessee did.
