Vols face top-ranked Alabama

Alabama streaking for annual meeting

Alabama has two winning streaks that directly relate to Tennessee for Saturday's game (3:30 p.m. ET, CBS) at Neyland Stadium.

The top-ranked Crimson Tide (7-0, 4-0 SEC) have won 22 in a row against East Division opponents, dating to Oct. 9, 2010, at South Carolina.

Alabama coach Nick Saban is 14-0 all-time against former staff members. UT first-year coach Jeremy Pruitt served two tours on Saban's staff, including the past two seasons as defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.

Pruitt makes fast work of big win

With Saturday's 30-24 victory at then-No. 21 Auburn, Pruitt earned his first road victory against a ranked team in his sixth game. Only one other active coach in the SEC has achieved the feat that quickly. Texas A&M's Jimbo Fisher's first Florida State team beat Miami in his sixth game as the Seminoles' coach.

Vols shoring up run defense

Although Alabama might do some damage to this statistical trend, Tennessee's run defense is greatly improved through six games.

The Vols are allowing 152.7 yards rushing per game, nearly 99 yards better than last season, when they ranked No. 126 nationally in run defense (251.3).

UT held Auburn to 10 rushing yards on 11 carries in the second half Saturday after allowing 116 yards on 23 carries before halftime.

Fall chill replacing summer heat

After summer-like temperatures, fans are advised to bring a jacket and rain gear for Saturday's game. The National Weather Service is predicting a temperature range of high 50s to low 60s with a 30 percent chance of lingering showers. Game time temperatures for the three previous home games have been 85 degrees or higher.

Baseball follows football

UT was scheduled to play Alabama in a scrimmage Saturday morning but impending weather Saturday morning has moved the game to Sunday at 12:30 p.m.

Concessions will not be available for the scrimmage, but fans are welcome to bring food and drinks into the stadium.