SEC’s Best in-Conference Games 2016: #3: Alabama at Tennessee

Special Teams and Coaching

Special teams remain something of a question mark for Alabama. They need new return men, as Cyrus Jones and Kenyan Drake are both in the NFL now. The kicking situation is hit or miss. When Adam Griffith is on, he can kick as well as anyone in the country. But when he isn’t the poor guy can’t hit the side of the barn. Punter JK Scott was solid last season although he still had a bit of a sophomore slump. His average dipped from an obscene 48 yards per kick to 44.

Tennessee’s special teams, on the other hand, are stacked. Kicker Aaron Medley is the weakest link but he still managed to hit 21 of 31 field goals. Punter Trevor Daniel set a program record a season ago by averaging 45.7 yards per punt. Tennessee also has a pair of lethal return men. Evan Berry averaged 38.3 yards per kickoff return and scored three touchdowns. On punt returns, Cam Sutton scored two touchdowns of his own.

On the coaching front Alabama wins hands-down. With all due respect to Butch Jones, Saban is just on his own plane right now. It really isn’t fair.

Advantage: Even. (Tennessee wins special teams and Bama wins coaching).

Next: Prediction and Conclusion