The details:

What: No. 1 Alabama at No. 9 Tennessee

When: Saturday, 2:30 p.m. CT

Where: Neyland Stadium in Knoxville Tenn.

Line: Alabama is a 13-point favorite, according to Westgate

This game will determine...

Whether Tennessee really is back to being a program that can contend on a national stage. The Volunteers have never defeated Alabama since Nick Saban has coached the Crimson Tide. Alabama has won the last nine meetings, rebuilding a dynasty while Tennessee suffered through a period of instability following Phil Fulmer's exit at the end of 2008. A victory over their rival would signify the Volunteers are a team to be reckoned with again.

Three things to look for:

1. Turnovers and Takeaways: This season, Tennessee has won in spite of itself. The Volunteers have turned the ball over 16 times. Only three teams in the entire Football Bowl Subdivision have coughed it up more. To reach that total, the Volunteers has thrown as many interceptions as they have lost fumbles. Alabama, which leads the nation with seven defensive touchdowns, will look to take advantage. The Tide have produced 13 takeaways, using an aggressive style to create dividends.

2. Tennessee's resiliency: For most of the season, Tennessee resembled a villain in a slasher movie. The Volunteers just wouldn't die. In five of the six games, they have erased a double-digit deficit and prevailed four times. Last week, in their first loss to Texas A&M, they were down 21 points and came back to tie the game at the end of regulation before eventually falling in two overtimes. This is a resilient bunch and Alabama coach Nick Saban has implored his team to play a complete game.

3. Alabama's pass rush: The Tide's pass rush is fearsome. Never was that more apparent than last Saturday during Alabama's 49-30 victory over Arkansas, when the Tide tormented Razorbacks quarterback Austin Allen, pressuring him on 42 of 61 drop backs and sacking him six times. Under defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, the Tide has blitzed more frequently than in previous years. Alabama could pose some problems for Tennessee, which has surrendered 14 sacks -- more than 77 other teams in the FBS. Like Allen, Volunteers quarterback Josh Dobbs could be subjected to his share of punishment.

Key matchup:

Alabama secondary vs. Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs: Until Minkah Fitzpatrick intercepted three passes in the second half of Alabama's victory over Arkansas, the performance of the secondary seemed beyond redemption. The Tide surrendered 400 passing yards to Austin Allen, who pressed on in spite of the relentless pressure he was facing.

After the game, Marlon Humphrey said Alabama would have "to play better." That's especially true against Tennessee's Josh Dobbs, the talented dual-threat quarterback who threw for 398 passing yards -- a career-high total -- in a loss at Texas A&M last Saturday. Only three SEC teams have produced a higher number of completions of 20 yards or more than Tennessee has this season.

By the numbers:

62 -- The number of points by which Tennessee has outscored its opponents in the fourth quarter.

Tennessee player to watch: Alvin Kamara

Alvin Kamara is a familiar name in these parts. The former Alabama player had a breakout performance last Saturday in Tennessee's loss to Texas A&M, when he set a school record with 312 all-purpose yards while also scoring three touchdowns. Kamara's versatility has opened a new dimension in Tennessee's offense.

As a running back, Kamara actually leads the Volunteers with 20 receptions this season. But it will be interesting to see how much he's used now that Jalen Hurd is expected to be back after recovering from the undisclosed injury that sidelined him against the Aggies.