The Tennessee Volunteers are coming off their first loss of the season - in double overtime on the road to Texas A&M - but all of their goals are still in front of them. Now comes a home matchup with Alabama, a team that has beaten the Vols nine straight times. However, the Vols know a win would put them right back into the College Football Playoff conversation. Here are three reasons why they'll be able to do just that:
3) Alabama's relative struggles on the road
I say relative because there's almost no struggles coming from an undefeated team, but they've played considerably worse on the road this year. Their defense is allowing 36.5 points per game in true road contests this year - compared to just 5.5 points in all other games. The opportunity is there for Tennessee to put plenty of points on the board, and they'll take advantage of it.
2) Josh Dobbs, Heisman contender
Dobbs' struggles had really limited Tennessee's offense this season, but has broken out in a big way with multiple passing touchdowns (and at least three total touchdowns) in four of Tennessee's last five games - and is coming off a career-high passing performance. Josh Malone has stepped up and finally given him a go-to receiver, which has made a big difference in Dobbs' confidence throwing the ball down the field. He won't play that well every time out, but just knowing they have the option to throw the ball all over the field makes this offense even more difficult to defend.
1) It's time
I'm sure I don't need to remind Vols fans about all the near wins over the Tide over the past few years, but this Tennessee team is primed to end this streak. We already saw the magic that brought them back to beat Florida and end that streak, and we think Neyland Stadium can do that again. Plus, they showed last year that they can physically hang with the Tide. It's time to end another streak, and everyone on Rocky Top believes that will happen.
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