Alabama vs. Tennessee: Who smokes cigars on Rocky Top?

The Alabama Crimson Tide finds itself in a very different position than it was in just two weeks ago. After a dominant win against Georgia where Alabama controlled much of the game, the team headed to Nashville for what appeared to be another easy victory against Vanderbilt. With eyes already set on the big game against Tennessee in Knoxville, it seemed like smooth sailing ahead.

Two weeks later, the Tide took what was arguably the worst loss in program history and came just a hair away from the first regular season back-to-back losses since 2007 against South Carolina last week. After the last three weeks of Crimson Tide football, which version of the team shows up is anyone’s guess at this point.

The funny thing, though, is that the Tennessee Volunteers – who were starting to look like title contenders early in the year – have been on a similar track. Losing on the road against Arkansas and narrowly avoiding a home loss against the dreadful Florida Gators last week, the Volunteers like Alabama have not been good over the last two weeks.

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But someone will have to win in Knoxville, and there are a few fascinating matchups to keep an eye on.

For one, Jalen Milroe going up against a Tennessee defense that is one of the best of the nation in what will be the most hostile environment he has played in as a starter. Just two weeks after Milroe played probably his best game in an Alabama uniform against Georgia, he played one of his worst last week against South Carolina.

The Jalen Milroe that decides to show up at Neyland Stadium could determine the result.

On top of that, Tennessee’s offense going up against the struggling Alabama defense will be something to watch. Josh Heupel is one of the best offensive playcallers in college football — and his quarterback Nico Iamaleava was supposed to be elite. However, so far against quality opponents, that has not happened yet.

Alabama’s swiss cheese defense could be the game for the Volunteer offense to get right.

Ultimately, who wins this game is gonna be anyone’s guess. Both teams have issues that they were not anticipated to have, and someone is going to have to perform at a higher level than they have shown over the last two weeks in order to earn the right to smoke their victory cigars on the third Saturday in October.