UA's concerns include front seven, Bennett

As motor homes rolled up Interstate 65 on Thursday toward Nashville in anticipation of Alabama's game at Vanderbilt, some of those drivers might've asked, "What will Nick Saban do for an encore?"

Yes, Saban cemented his return to college football with Alabama's 52-6 victory over Western Carolina on Saturday, but the Catamounts are not SEC competition.

Then again, if you look at Vanderbilt pre-2005, you could make the same argument about the Commodores. But this year's Vanderbilt should give Alabama more of a test than in previous years.

With that in mind, what are the issues plaguing the Tide heading into Saturday's matchup?

Ah, the front seven: It seems like a broken record with the Tide's defensive front seven, but if Saban didn't want it to be an issue, he shouldn't have called this group "thin" during spring practice, then "soft" after the Western Carolina game.

While the talent in the front group is negligible, it still seems as if Saban has brought attention to this position for motivational purposes. Look at what some of the players in that group said this week in response to Saban's criticism:

Linebacker Darren Mustin: "We have to get better. We have to hit harder. We need to be more physical up front. I'm part of that front seven, and that is a challenge to me."

Defensive end Wallace Gilberry: "I take it as a challenge, day in and day out, to be more aggressive and more physical up front."

So, even if that group is "soft," Saban's words are striking a nerve.

Covering Earl Bennett: This is a tough job for Alabama. The Commodores like to slot Bennett, their top wide receiver, in different areas on the field in order to find more ways to get him the ball.

While he isn't their only receiving option, Bennett is their best.

It will be interesting to see if Saban goes with a ball-hawking cornerback like Simeon Castille on Bennett or a cover-oriented guy such as Lionel Mitchell. Or maybe Saban will decide to bracket him with two players.

"He catches the ball well, and he is athletic," Castille said. "He is over 200 pounds, so you know you have to bring your feet when you tackle him. But he is their playmaker. He just finds a way to make big plays."

Brown and Hall: Wide receiver Keith Brown and linebacker Prince Hall were suspended for the opening game for an unspecified violation of rules, and while they're eligible to play Saturday, they are not listed on Alabama's depth chart.

But they are expected to see some time during the game. With Brown and Hall returning, the more pertinent question is: Where will their replacements move?

The receivers shouldn't have a problem since there are so many, but linebacker will be different.

True freshman Rolando McClain was shadowing Hall in practice for most of the week, possibly meaning that he will be switched in and out with Hall.

While McClain drew rave reviews from his teammates and his coaches, Hall was a preseason second-team All-SEC selection for a reason, and McClain is still getting his feet wet.

"It's nice to get a good player back," Mustin said. "It never hurts. Prince is my boy. I'm glad to see him back because he is a great football player but I am glad Rolando stepped up."

Is Vanderbilt worth worrying about? Normally, no. But in this case, yes. The Commodores have won more games in the past two years (nine) than in the previous four (eight).

Vandy has gotten lucky in recruiting recently, landing talented athletes like quarterback Chris Nickson, Bennett and linebacker Jonathan Goff.

On Saturday the Commodores should provide at least a small threat to hand Saban his first SEC loss since Oct. 2, 2004, at Georgia.

Alabama at Vanderbilt

Saturday
11:30 a.m.
WZDX-54