Jalen Hurd expected to play vs Alabama Crimson Tide
By John Buhler
The Tennessee Volunteers are expected to have starting running back Jalen Hurd available to play versus the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday afternoon.
The No. 9 Tennessee Volunteers will have their toughest game of the season in Week 7. They have to host their cross-divisional rival in the No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide for the Third Saturday in October. Fortunately for the Volunteers, it seems that they will have starting running back Jalen Hurd back in the fold on Saturday afternoon.
Hurd practiced all week for the Volunteers after suffering an injury versus the Georgia Bulldogs in Week 5. Tennessee lost on the road in Week 6 to the Texas A&M Aggies in Hurd’s absence.
On Wednesday, Tennessee head coach Butch Jones informed the media that Hurd will play on Saturday versus the rival Crimson Tide. Jones said, “It was great to have him back. He’s had a good week of preparation, so we’re excited about that.”
Hurd leads the Volunteers in rushing this season with 407 yards on the ground in five games. Tennessee got great production out of No. 2 tailback Alvin Kamara in Hurd’s absence in Week 6. However, that wasn’t enough to beat Texas A&M in College Station.
For Tennessee to have any hopes of beating Nick Saban’s Alabama team on Saturday, the Volunteers will need Hurd, Kamara, and quarterback Joshua Dobbs to run all over the Crimson Tide defense.
Tennessee is arguably the best second half team in the nation, but no team in the Power 5 is better at playing with a lead than the juggernaut Crimson Tide. The Volunteers will have to minimize their mistakes on offense to keep pace with Alabama.
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Tennessee turned the football over seven times against Texas A&M last week and had a chance to beat the Aggies in overtime. It will take a 60-minute game from Tennessee to beat Alabama. The Volunteers haven’t played a full game this season, despite being 5-1. Having Hurd back is a huge boost to the Tennessee offense. Now, the Volunteers have a fighting chance to upend Alabama for the first time since 2006.