Tennessee is led by the SEC's leading passer on offense, as well as one of the conference's top tacklers on defense.
A team that has given Alabama some troubles the last three seasons, the Tennessee Volunteers come to Tuscaloosa this Saturday for the latest edition of "The Third Saturday in October."
With both teams ranked in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, this year's version of the rivalry features No. 6 Alabama playing host to the No. 11 Volunteers. Both teams also sit at 5-1 overall for the season, while Alabama is 3-0 in SEC play, compared to 2-1 for Tennessee.
Alabama has also owned the rivalry across the last decade-plus, but Tennessee has given the Crimson Tide some problems in recent years, winning two of the last three. The Volunteers also have some prominent players from last season's victory in Knoxville back, while the same can be said for Alabama.
Following are five Volunteers that you need to know in particular entering Saturday's game, as well as how each has performed against Alabama in previous meetings.
Arion Carter, Linebacker, Junior
One of Tennessee's leaders on defense is linebacker Arion Carter, a junior who has six career tackles across his two games against Alabama in 2023-24. Entering the week as Tennessee's leading tackler by far with 57 total, Carter is currently leading the SEC with 37 assisted tackles, while also having posted 2.5 TFL, one sack, two pass defenses, one fumble recovery, and one forced fumble this season.
Joey Aguilar, Quarterback, Senior
The starting quarterback for Tennessee this season is Joey Aguilar, a senior who transferred into the program over the offseason from UCLA, which he previously joined from Appalachian State. Aguilar is currently completing 64.8% of passes for a SEC leading 1,680 passing yards with a 14:5 TD:INT ratio, while also having rushed for 117 yards and two touchdowns on 26 attempts.
Chris Brazzell II, Wide Receiver, Redshirt Junior
Tennessee has one of the SEC's top pass catchers this season in Chris Brazzell II, a redshirt junior who is currently leading the Volunteers in receiving, and had two receptions for 27 yards and a touchdown against Alabama a year ago. Brazzell has hauled in 32 receptions for 536 yards and a SEC best seven receiving touchdowns this season.
Joshua Josephs, Defensive Line, Senior
The Volunteers have multiple talented pass rushers along their defensive line, but arguably the biggest to know is Joshua Josephs, a senior who has a combined five tackles, 1.5 TFL, one sack, and one pass defense across three career games vs. Alabama. Josephs currently leads Tennessee with 5.5 TFL, while also tied for the team lead with four sacks, along with owning 25 tackles, two pass defenses, one fumble recovery, and a SEC leading three forced fumbles.
DeSean Bishop, Running Back, Redshirt Sophomore
The final Tennessee player to know in particular entering Week 8 is DeSean Bishop, a redshirt sophomore running back who had five carries for 36 yards a year ago against Alabama. Bishop is the Volunteers leading rusher at 481 yards and five touchdowns on 63 attempts, while also having hauled in three receptions for 44 yards, as well as currently leading the SEC with an average of 7.6 yards per rushing attempt.
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This article originally appeared on Roll Tide Wire: Alabama football vs. Tennessee: Arion Carter among top Volunteers
Category: General Sports
