When the Crimson Tide and Tennessee collide Saturday afternoon in Knoxville, it will mark the third-straight ranked opponent for the Crimson Tide in the past three weeks.
This latest trip to Knoxville will also mark a chance for Alabama to break a recent losing skid inside Neyland Stadium, a venue where the Crimson Tide have struggled as of late. After a lengthy stretch of simply dominance in the rivalry, Alabama has lost their last two trips to Neyland, coming in both 2022 and 2024 by final scores of 52-49 and 24-17, respectively.
The latest chapter of "The Third Saturday in October" will feature a pair of ranked teams, according to the US LBM Coaches Poll, with Tennessee sitting at No. 14 currently. Tennessee (5-1 overall, 2-1 SEC) is almost
certainly to provide a challenge for the Crimson Tide as well, as a number of key players are back for the Volunteers from last season's meeting in Tuscaloosa, a game which saw Alabama win, 37-20.
Here are five names to know for the Volunteers ahead of Saturday's matchup, as well as how each has performed against Alabama previously, if at all.
DeSean Bishop, Running Back
Bishop has been one of the SEC's most productive running backs so far this season rushing for 678 yards and eight touchdowns on 107 attempts, averaging 6.3 yards per carry. The senior also has five catches for 38 yards this year, and across his two career games against Alabama, Bishop has rushed for a combined 159 yards and two scores on 19 carries, a vast majority of which came a year ago in Tuscaloosa.
Xavier Gilliam, Defensive Line
Gilliam has been one of the SEC's most productive interior defensive linemen this season by recording 22 tackles, 10 TFL, five sacks, and two forced fumbles, the latter of which leads the conference. The junior is a transfer from Penn State who will be facing Alabama for the first time.
Amare Campbell, Linebacker
The senior linebacker is currently tied for Tennessee's team-lead with 38 tackles this season, while also recording 4.5 TFL, two sacks, and three pass defenses. Campbell, who is also a transfer from Penn State, will be facing the Crimson Tide for the first time.
Dejuan Lane, Defensive Back
Lane has racked up 23 tackles, 3.5 TFL, two sacks, and two interceptions this season, the latter of which currently leads the SEC. The junior also leads the SEC with a pick-six this season, and is another Penn State transfer who will be facing Alabama for the first time.
Arion Carter, Linebacker
Rounding out the list is Carter, a veteran SEC linebacker who is tied with Campbell for Tennessee's team-lead with 38 tackles this season, while also having made four TFL, one sack, and two fumble recoveries. The senior is set to face Alabama for the fourth time, and has made 10 career tackles against the Crimson Tide before.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Talented running back among Volunteers to know vs. Tennessee in Week 7
