Xavier Gilliam

I, I think Tennessee defense right now is criminally underrated.

They got Xavier Gilliam.

He's, I think he's the best interior defensive lineman in the SEC.

Alabama's offensive line's a little banged up.

I think Tennessee has the best defender in the SEC.

I think Xavier Gilliam is the best defender in the SEC.

I disagree.

That's gonna be an, that's gonna be a really intriguing match up, because I, I wanna say Alabama has a lineman out for, for the game.

All right, let's talk about it because this has been on my mind going into the Saturday.

Can Alabama protect Keelan Russell? I think that's one of everybody's biggest fears going into today is with Xavier Gilliam, and he's one of the best defensive players in the nation, along with the fact that Tennessee has 25 sacks on the quarterback this year.

Yeah, cause for concern.

That would be scary if we had a healthy offensive line.

He shows up, good to go.

The offense will be fine if he can hold his own.

Now, battling Xavier Gilliam is going to be a hell of a task.

If you double team him with Michael Carroll or Will Sanders, you've got to figure it out.

I'll tell you right now.

Xavier Gilliam For Tennessee, defensive line.

Monster.

My goodness is that guy good.

Uh, Bama offense comes in averaging seven yards per play, but they're without their leading wide receiver, Williams, and this Tennessee defense is, is pretty good.

Xavier Gilliam might be the best D lineman in the country.

Eh, but my concern with the Vols here, Ralph, and I'm gonna throw to you, I'm gonna say first half, full game under, is George McIntyre making his second career start for Tennessee.

His QBR last week was 10.3. That's a scale of zero to 100 for those not familiar.

I mean, I, I...

You know, Tennessee's defense is very good, of course, as we've discussed, and I think there's an argument Xavier Gilliam's maybe one of the top defensive players in the entire nation.

I would agree.

But he can't do it all alone.

Well, it just mean I gotta make another pause list

Speaking of, Tennessee lost by double digits to Xavier last night.

Any concern there?

Me? No.

Which I don't think this team is ever gonna have that problem like they had last night, making shots, but when you do run into it, you're able to keep yourself in the game by your defensive principles that you're gonna stick with.

In this situation, the communication was horrible.

The physicality of defense as far as moving up on ball screens, how you let guys go off of screens, um, the freedom of movement that Xavier was able to have in the second half, that was a no-go.

Um, also the rebounding is another part of, which you might as well add on to the physicality.

Um, Tennessee's defense I think can make things diffil- difficult for Keylon Russell.

I think not having your starting center in there with Xavier Gilliam lining up, you know, zero technique, one shade, whatever it is, is gonna be beneficial for Tennessee.

I think Tennessee's defense will force a couple turnovers.

I just need to know if Tennessee's offense is gonna have some explosives a- and if Tennessee's offense can get off to the start that it needs.

First, I believe the first start ever at center.

I don't think he's played center in a game, but he's their best option.

Going up against Xavier Gilliam?

Good luck.