Rivalries are a staple of college football, but for the players involved, there’s a variety of ways to tackle the week of a big game. How does one handle the intensity amid normal prep? Ahead of the third Saturday of October, that’s become a common question in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and Knoxville, Tenn.

For Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, attacking each day and throwing himself into preparation has become the norm. Each matchup is as important as the rest. Yet, he remembered the atmosphere in Neyland Stadium last fall. He’s excited about Bryant-Denny Stadium’s response this weekend. UA linebacker Deontae Lawson said the 2022 ending — the Volunteers beat Alabama on a 40-yard field goal as time expired — left a bad taste in his mouth.

Some, like defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry, noted the game’s significance but said most of his family was actually more interested in the Iron Bowl rivalry. Georgia transfer Trezmen Marshall, in his first season with the Tide, said he’s still learning of the traditions, like how the winning team smokes a cigar. Tennessee running back Jabari Small called the Week 8 matchup “not even different.” It’s just more “great players and great competition.”

“This game we’re playing against Tennessee, big rivalry game. Means a lot to a lot of people in the state of Alabama and I’m sure there, too. It’s one of the best rivalries in college football,” Nick Saban said.

For the first time in Nick Saban’s tenure, Alabama will look to bounce back from a loss against the Volunteers. A run of 15 straight Tide wins was ended in the 52-49 thriller. Yet, as is the nature of the sport, a lot can change in a year. The No. 17 Volunteers (5-1, 2-1 SEC) aren’t the elite passing offense it torched UA with. No. 11 Alabama (6-1, 4-0) has explosive tendencies but also looks to establish the run. Alabama will enter around a 10-point favorite, per most sportsbooks with an over/under at 48 points, about one team’s offensive output a year ago.

The matchup this weekend is likely to come down to the trenches. Alabama is once again bracing for another strong defensive front while trying to fix its offensive line woes. The Volunteers rank fourth in the country with 24 sacks. Alabama is third with 26 and will get to operate against a struggling Joe Milton (61.5% completion rate, 10 touchdowns to four interceptions, 6.9 yards per attempt).

“From last year’s game, I remember a lot of missed assignments,” UA offensive guard Tyler Booker said. “I remember a lot of crucial penalties, not playing Alabama football. So what I’m gonna reiterate to the team and talk to the team about this week is just making sure that we play consistent Alabama football. Make sure that we execute when we need to and not take our foot off the gas.”

As for the Tide working against a Josh Heupel passing game, Marshall said Alabama can learn from its Week 3 matchup versus USF, who’s led by Alex Golesh, Tennessee’s old offensive coordinator. South Florida managed 87 passing yards and no touchdowns in a sloppy, rain-delayed game in Tampa.

The Vols produced 385 passing yards and five touchdowns in Knoxville against Alabama. They’re averaging 212.5 yards per game through the air and 231.3 rushing this season. In recent weeks, the Tide’s secondary has handled an injury to Malachi Moore. Terrion Arnold has excelled as a replacement at star and freshman safety Caleb Downs has continued to emerge as an impact player.

“They certainly make you defend 53 yards wide of the field,” Saban said. “There’s two challenges. It affects run support in the box because the guys that are covering the receivers are so far away from the box. And they run a lot of vertical routes from out there so the people covering them get pretty isolated because they’re far away from, whether it’s split safety or middle-of-the-field safety. So it is very challenging. The thing that I think is going to be really important is not to give up big, explosive plays, which was a real issue for us a year ago.”

Nick Alvarez is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @nick_a_alvarez or email him at [email protected].