The Alabama-Tennessee factors that will decide the rivalry game

We say all this to say this: a few plays here and there could make the difference in a game like this. Alabama suffered a major setback in the big game at Neyland Stadium two years ago, but got revenge last October in Tuscaloosa.

The Tide is fifth nationally with seven games over 50 yards. Tennessee's defense hasn't allowed a single goal in six games this season, so something has to give. South Carolina came up with a smart plan to limit Ryan Williams to his lowest production of the season (four catches, 32 yards and his first touchdown-free game of the season).

With the Vol offense struggling, the home team is put under pressure by a few outstanding plays.

Speaking of Tennessee's offense, it's not like this group isn't capable of it. They've proven they're capable of setting off fireworks, and Alabama has been prone to mishaps in recent weeks.

The key here is to slow the momentum before it builds. This is a Tennessee offense that likes to pick up the tempo after a successful first down play and roll the snowball downhill quickly. However, Florida hurt that pace a week ago in a game where Tennessee won in overtime but started painfully slow. The Vols averaged just 2.7 yards on 13 first-down runs and just 6.3 yards on one pass attempt.

This contributed to Tennessee not scoring until the end of the third quarter of a game that ended 23-17 in overtime. The Vols had the ball 13 times in regulation and scored on just three of those possessions while going three-and-out five times.

Worse for Alabama: A dirty white uniform

Alabama had a lot of trouble slowing down South Carolina's star pass rusher Kyle Kennard last week. He finished the game with two sacks and the pressure that forced Jalen Milroe into an intentional grounding for a safety. He was a problem.

James Pearce Jr. might be even more of the same. The Vol's star defender recorded a sack/fumble against Milroe deep in Alabama territory last year. After Tennessee recovered the fumble, the visitors kicked a field goal and took a 13-0 lead. These are the nightmare scenarios that befell Alabama at Vanderbilt and did almost the same thing against South Carolina last week.

If Milroe leaves Neyland Stadium with his white road uniform completely stained, Alabama is in trouble. The Vols will be without linebacker Keenan Pili, the defensive play-caller, who is out for the season after suffering an injury last week. That's a big loss for Tennessee, but there's still plenty of firepower in a defense that ranks fourth nationally in points allowed (10.7) and second in yards allowed (249.8).

The Vols also haven't had an offense with as much big-play potential as Alabama. The Tide also didn't see as solid a defense after one of their most inconsistent performances of the season against the Gamecocks.

Prediction: Tennessee 21, Alabama 20

This is a real coin toss, but Tennessee is at home, so the Vols have the edge in a rock matchup.

Michael Casagrande is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ByCasagrande or further Facebook.