Alabama vs Tennessee: “The Intimidation Factor is Over”

Alabama's matchup with Tennessee last season ended in disappointment, with the Crimson Tide only losing by three points, 49-52.

With only two days left before this year's rematch, the outcome of the game will determine more assuredly how good of a team Alabama actually is.

Russell Biven discussed the topic Thursday morning on "Inside the Locker Room" with Wimp and Barry Sanderson.

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"I think [Tennessee] wants to prove the fact that it wasn't a fluke," said Biven. "A lot of weird things happened in that game that could have gone either way, but they want to make sure."

Biven said Tennessee fans know that Bama is still Bama, but they also recognize that it's not the same Alabama as it has been. "[The team] a little bit different, maybe not playing as well as it used to in the last few years," explained Biven.

As for the Tennessee team itself: they are confident they can win. "There's no doubt about that," said Biven. Both the players and the coaches are sure they will have a win on Saturday. "The intimidation factor is over," noted Biven, "I wouldn't say for the fans, but for the players."

Read more about how the Alabama-Tennessee game is different this year. 

Wimp Sanderson brought up Tennessee game against Florida, asking whether being on the road seems to affect the team. "Was the Florida game a fluke game?" he asked.

Russell Biven didn't think so. "I don't think they're gonna come into Tuscaloosa and play like that," he said. "I think that game led them where they are now...to fix a lot of things."

Despite Tennessee's confidence, Biven thinks the Tide still has control of the field. "I think Alabama's gonna win the game," he said, "but I think it's gonna be by four or five points."

That may be so, but confidence can't be discounted. Especially as the Crimson Tide has repeatedly been unable to maintain a solid game all four quarters. An edge from the other team could just break them.

Listen to the full interview with Russell Biven: