3 matchups that could define Alabama football vs Vanderbilt Saturday afternoon
The Georgia win may be in the past, but SEC play continues for Alabama football.
The No. 2 Crimson Tide will head to Nashville, Tennessee, for its second conference game of the 2024 season against Vanderbilt, a team Alabama has not lost to outright since 1984.
Alabama kicks off against Vanderbilt at 3:15 p.m. Saturday from FirstBank Stadium on SEC Network.
Here are three matchups to watch during Alabama vs. Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Vanderbilt QB Diego Pavia vs Alabama football linebackers
Vanderbilt's Diego Pavia won't be the first dual-threat quarterback Alabama has seen in 2024, having already played Byrum Brown and South Florida in Week 2. But there were points where Brown gave the Crimson Tide defense fits, especially with his legs.
Alabama was able to contain Brown in the passing game, limiting him to 103 passing yards and a 42.9% completion rate in the Crimson Tide's 42-16 win against South Florida. But Brown led the Bulls in rushing with 108 yards on 23 carries.
What Alabama football fans should know about Vanderbilt
Pavia can do a bit of everything for the Commodores offense, averaging more than 180 passing yards per game and nearly 70 rushing yards per game. He had an 84-yard performance on the ground against Missouri Sept. 21 and 104 rushing yards in Vanderbilt's season-opening win vs. Virginia Tech.
As leaders in the middle of a "swarm" defense, especially one that traditionally only rushes three or four, Deontae Lawson, Que Russaw and the rest of the Alabama linebackers will be forced to keep their heads on a swivel and be cognizant of what Pavia is doing at all times.
Jalen Milroe vs. Vanderbilt defense
Jalen Milroe and the Alabama offense are not set to face much of a stiff challenge in Vanderbilt's pass defense.
The Commodores are one of nine SEC teams to allow more than 200 passing yards per game while opposing offenses score an average of two passing touchdowns per game: tied with Mississippi State for worst in the conference.
The matchup Milroe must keep in mind is if he can continue the recent success Alabama quarterbacks have had against Vanderbilt. Milroe was on the sideline when Bryce Young torched the Commodores for 385 passing yards and four touchdowns in 2022.
For a quarterback who is beginning to get Heisman Trophy buzz, Milroe could continue that conversation Saturday afternoon in Nashville.
Alabama WR Ryan Williams vs expectation
Vanderbilt has allowed its fair share of receivers to find success against its pass defense. Georgia State's Ted Hurst had seven catches for 128 yards and two touchdowns against the Commodores, while Missouri's Luther Burden added six catches for 76 yards and two scores.
Ryan Williams' expectation far exceeds Hurst and even Burden, who could be the first wide receiver selected in the 2025 NFL draft.
GOODBREAD: Is Ryan Williams next David Palmer?
In four games, Williams leads Alabama in catches (16) and receiving yards (462). He is the only receiver with multiple touchdown catches with five. And facing Vanderbilt, the 17-year-old will likely get his share of attention from opposing defensive backs.
After a memorable performance against Georgia in which he made circus-like catches the norm, will Williams be able to keep that level of play when the entire college football world is talking about him?
Colin Gay covers Alabama football for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at cgay@gannett.com or follow him @_ColinGay on X, formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 3 matchups that could define Alabama vs Vanderbilt football
