Hendon Hooker can become the first Tennessee quarterback to defeat a Nick Saban-coached Alabama team, and the first signal-caller since Eric Ainge (2006) to beat the Crimson Tide in the 2000s era.
He is guiding a program that is very exciting in year two under Josh Heupel. Volunteers fans believe the “T” is feared again, and Saturday will be the moment when it breaks the losing streak to Alabama. Hooker has Tennessee undefeated (5-0) and heading into a top-10 matchup at 2:30 p.m. via CBS at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn. The 6-foot-4, 218-pounder spoke to reporters Monday about the importance of the matchup.