OCT. 17, ALABAMA

Get the cigars ready, this will be another good one.

This edition of the Crimson Tide will be a good measuring stick of the impact Kalen DeBoer has over the Alabama football program.

Year 3, especially in this age of the transfer portal and NIL payments, will be an indication if the retooling process is a success.

Quarterback Keelon Russell, who was rated as the No. 2 overall recruit in the 2025 class, will finally get from outside of Ty Simpson’s shadow and be able to operate on his own. He’s a great dual-threat quarterback who will be challenged to lead this team. Though he’s gifted with a live arm, it will still take time for him to get the decision-making process necessary in college football down pat.

Once a 17-year-old phenom, receiver Ryan Williams (now Ryan Coleman-Williams) is trying to put a sophomore season loaded with drops behind him. Daniel Hill and five-star freshman EJ Crowell will be tasked with carrying the ball most of the time.

The Alabama offensive line lost a couple key components from last year to the NFL, but it has five-star freshman Michael Carroll stepping in.

Outside linebacker Yhonzae Pierre and cornerback Zabien Brown are the big-time names on the Crimson Tide defense. They added transfers Terrence Green (Oregon) and Devan Thompkins (USC) on the defensive line along with outside linebacker Caleb Woodson (Virginia Tech).

Bray Hubbard and Keon Sabb are veterans in the secondary.

This matchup is part of a four-game gauntlet for Alabama. A week earlier, the Crimson Tide will host Georgia. After Tennessee, they entertain Texas A&M and then, after an open date, venture to Baton Rouge to play LSU.

By Nov. 7, Alabama will know if it’s destined for the College Football Playoffs by the way it handles this stretch of four games.

While Tennessee is fortunate to play Arkansas before this game, the Crimson Tide will have to deal with either the emotional high or low that goes with the outcome of the Georgia game.

The Volunteers couldn’t ask for a better setup with the schedule.

No matter how the Georgia game goes, this could be a trap for ‘Bama.

PREDICTION: Tennessee 27, Alabama 24