"I feel confident": Jalen Milroe expresses optimism ahead of Alabama's crucial Week 8 road game against Tennessee

Jalen Milroe is in high spirits ahead of Alabama’s (5-1, 2-1 SEC) game against Tennessee (5-1, 2-1) this weekend. The Crimson Tide make a trip to Knoxville on Saturday to play the Volunteers in one of college football’s most historic rivalry games, which has a lot of postseason implications.

The quarterback, who has placed himself in the Heisman Trophy conversation, disclosed the motivation behind his confidence on Tuesday.

“I feel confident,” Milroe said. “We have a lot of guys in the locker room that acknowledge the rivalry, acknowledge what it takes to win, acknowledge all the hard work that needs to be done during the week so that we can put our best foot forward when it comes to this Saturday.

“Definitely a great week to be prepared, understand our assignment, and just have a lot of fun. Because this is going to be a lot of fun, playing in games like this, especially for all of us. It’s all about locking in today and being the best version of ourselves.”

Jalen Milroe on Tennessee crowd noise

Jalen Milroe experienced the intense atmosphere of Neyland Stadium for the first time in the 2022 season as Tennessee defeated Alabama 52-49. This exposure to the raucous environment likely provided valuable insight into the challenges he’ll face this time around.

The quarterback talked about how he will handle Tennessee's hostile crowd in Knoxville this Saturday.

“Controlling your controllables is definitely important when it comes to staying ahead of the sticks,” Milroe said. “And also just controlling the game through your preparation.

“I think that’s so important because although it’s going to a lot of, it’s going to be hectic, you know, as far as the crowd. They want to be involved in the game. It’s all about the preparation aspect of it so that you just reflect on your level of training and not rise to the occasion.”

Jalen Milroe has been pretty impressive on the road this season, recording a 73.2% pass completion in the two road games. However, he failed to lead the Crimson Tide to victory against Vanderbilt in Week 6, one of the greatest upsets in college football.

Tennessee comes as a big challenge for Alabama this weekend. Both teams boast a 5-1 record, suffering an upset in conference play. The Saturday encounter is a brilliant opportunity for both teams to build their playoff hopes.