PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Jarrett Guarantano earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors after a career effort in Tennessee’s upset win over Auburn. The redshirt sophomore set personal bests for yards (328) as well as completions (21) and attempts (32). It was the first 300-yard effort for the New Jersey native in 19 career appearances. Guarantano’s previous best was 242 yards versus Kentucky last season — having not thrown for more than 172 yards in a game this year. For the season, Guarantano now has 1,129 yards and six touchdowns.
–RB Ty Chandler hauled in his second long touchdown pass in as many games en route to 112 total yards (62 receiving) versus Auburn. The sophomore’s 50 yards on the ground give him 297 on the season and vault him over Tim Jordan (284 yards, two touchdowns) for the team lead.
–DE Kyle Phillips posted a career-best nine tackles in a clutch defensive performance against Auburn. The senior’s strip-sack fumble was scooped up by teammate Alontae Taylor who took it for an eight-yard defensive touchdown to put Tennessee up 27-17. For his effort, the SEC named Phillips as its Defensive Lineman of the Week.
–DB Bryce Thompson picked off one of two Jarrett Stidham passes last week, giving him a pair of interceptions on the year. Thompson is the first Volunteer freshman with multiple interceptions since Cameron Sutton during the 2013 campaign.
SERIES HISTORY: Alabama leads Tennessee, 55-38-7. You must step outside of the Nick Saban era at Alabama to find the last time Tennessee defeated the Crimson Tide. Saban’s squads have won all 11 contests, including all five in Neyland Stadium.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “When you talk about Alabama, first of all, you talk about the rivalry. This game means a whole lot to a whole lot of people. It’s a very important game, not only because it’s the next one, but because of the tradition that comes with this game. I think we’ve got to do our part to create this rivalry again. It’s not been much of a rivalry the past few years. We have to uphold our end of it.” –Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt on facing No. 1 Alabama
