GAME NOTES: SEC foes will collide in Tuscaloosa this weekend, as the Alabama Crimson Tide plays host to the 20th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Three consecutive victories have enabled Tennessee to improve to 4-2 overall, including 2-1 against league competition. The most recent win came last weekend, as the Vols posted a 33-21 decision over Mississippi State. After this week's clash, Tennessee will play its next four games at home, giving the squad a great chance to stay in contention for the SEC title. As for Alabama, it is 5-2 overall, including 3-1 against league competition. Last weekend, the Crimson Tide went on the road and escaped Oxford with a 27-24 triumph over Ole Miss. The next two games, including this week, and three of the next four will take place at home for 'Bama. Alabama owns a 44-38-7 series lead over Tennessee, but the Vols recorded a 16-13 victory in last season's meeting.

Tennessee is scoring 34.3 ppg while racking up 425.5 total ypg. Calling the shots for the offense is quarterback Erik Ainge, widely considered one of the best players at his position in the talent-packed SEC. Through six outings, Ainge has completed 66.5 percent of his passes for 1,554 yards and 12 touchdowns with three interceptions. Lucas Taylor has been the best of the receivers, as he has made 41 catches for 618 yards and three touchdowns. As for the ground attack, Arian Foster leads the way with 534 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 5.5 ypc. In the victory over Mississippi State last week, all three offensive stars for Tennessee played well. Foster ran for 139 yards and a touchdown, averaging 6.6 ypc. Ainge threw for 259 yards and two touchdowns, while Taylor exploded for 11 catches, 186 yards and a score.

The Vols are surrendering 30.8 ppg and 389.5 total ypg on average, but a closer look at the stats reveals that the club has not played as poor defensively in most outings as those figures indicate. In the two losses thus far, Tennessee surrendered 45 points to California and 59 points to Florida, a pair of national powerhouses. In the four wins, the Vols have yielded a total of 81 points. Rico McCoy paces Tennessee with 42 total tackles, and Jerod Mayo is close behind with 40 stops. Mississippi State managed 338 yards and three touchdowns against the Vols last week, as they played mediocre defense in that tilt. No turnovers were generated by Tennessee, and the club managed just a single sack.

Alabama is scoring 30.1 ppg while gaining 399.9 total ypg, as the offense has done a solid job of moving the ball and putting points on the board. Of the 25 touchdowns that the offense has scored, 16 have come on the ground. The running game, which accounts for 173.3 ypg, is spearheaded by Terry Grant, who has rushed for 593 yards and six scores while chewing up 5.9 ypc. Glen Coffee has been productive as well, rushing for 413 yards and four touchdowns. As for the passing game, John Parker Wilson has taken almost every snap this season, and he has completed 55.7 percent of his passes for 1,513 yards with eight touchdowns and five interceptions. His top target on the outside is D.J. Hall, a speedster who has made 37 catches for 579 yards and three scores. Alabama posted 378 total yards against Ole Miss last weekend. The Tide averaged fewer than three yards per rushing attempt, but Wilson was able to throw for 265 yards. As for Hall, he finished with 11 catches for 140 yards.

Opponents are posting 21.3 ppg against Alabama, which is allowing 354.0 total ypg. The defense has surrendered 18 touchdowns to date, including 12 passing scores. Considering that opposing quarterbacks are averaging over 12 yards per pass completions, there have been some big plays made through the air against Alabama. On a positive note, the Tide has intercepted 10 passes to go along with their five fumble recoveries. Rashad Johnson has been a standout for the defense, as he has made 50 total tackles, including four interceptions. Alabama yielded 420 yards last weekend to an Ole Miss team that possesses a mediocre offensive unit as best. Fortunately, the Tide registered three interceptions, one of the keys to the victory.

Expect this game to go down to the wire, as the Tide and Vols are evenly matched. Give the edge to the team with the better quarterback, Tennessee, as the Vols should score a narrow victory.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Tennessee 23, Alabama 20