Sep 28, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Ryan Williams (2) bobbles then catches this pass against the Georgia Bulldogs during the third quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images Top-ranked Alabama looks to take another step towards a league title and the College Football Playoff when it travels to Nashville, Tenn., to face Vanderbilt in Southeastern Conference play on Saturday.
It’ll be the conference home opener for the Commodores (2-2, 0-1 SEC), and the first conference road game for Alabama (4-0, 1-0).
Both teams are coming off perhaps their best performances of the season.
Alabama blew a 28-point lead, but quarterback Jalen Milroe hit Ryan Williams with a 75-yard touchdown throw with 2:18 left, providing the winning points in a 41-34 defeat of Georgia. Zabien Brown sealed the win with an interception with 43 seconds left.
On Monday, Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer spoke to how the Crimson Tide’s rocky second half could be used as a learning opportunity.
“It’s important for us to now have this. Each game provides experiences, right?” DeBoer said.
Vanderbilt rested last weekend after a 30-27, double-overtime setback at then-No. 7 Missouri on Sept. 21. Quarterback Diego Pavia threw for 178 yards and two scores and ran for 84 yards before Brock Taylor missed a 31-yard field goal on the game’s last play.
Milroe, the Heisman Trophy betting favorite after Saturday’s performance, has thrown for 964 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception while rushing for 273 yards and eight scores.
Vanderbilt coach Clark Lea spoke to the challenge of defending Milroe.
“Certainly, every time the ball is snapped, there’s an opportunity for an explosive play,” Lea said. “Where he is particularly good — listen, if you don’t account for him on the bypassed zone reads, he’s going to pull it and out-leverage and out-run the defense. He’s shown that against the very best in the country.”
Williams has caught 16 balls for 462 yards and five touchdowns. The late touchdown came on an electrifying play during which Williams twisted in mid-air to make a catch on an under thrown ball, split two defenders with a spin move and then won a footrace to the end zone.
“He’s got some of the best balance and body control that I’ve seen,” Lea said of Williams.
Vanderbilt’s defense has allowed 5.1 yards per play and 23.3 points per game. However, the Commodores will have their hands full with Alabama’s downfield passing ability (something they’ve struggled against) as well as a power running game (Vanderbilt allowed 199 yards to Missouri’s Nate Noel last time out).
For that reason, its best defense may be a good offense. Vanderbilt is tied for the national lead with one turnover all season and will try to hold the ball and run clock as much as possible.
Pavia is the key to that. He’s thrown for 721 yards, six touchdowns and no interceptions, while rushing for 279 yards and two scores.
Alabama allows 15.0 points per game and 4.3 yards per snap and has forced eight turnovers.
Penalties have been an issue for both teams; Alabama averages 8.5 penalties for 77.3 yards while the Commodores average eight for 83.3 yards.
Alabama has dominated the series, winning the last 23 games. The last three have come by scores of 55-3 (2022), 59-0 (2017) and 34-0 (2011), the 2017 contest being the lone one in Nashville.
–Field Level Media
