Does this Saturday mean anything to you? If you're an Alabama fan, Nick Saban says it does.

The No. 4 Crimson Tide travels to Knoxville this weekend where it will face a rebuilding Tennessee team, but facts and statistics need not apply in this game, according to the Alabama coach.

"When you play in these types of games, it’s more about the rivalry than it is the current record, statistics you achieve, points you’ve scored, the points you’ve given up," he said. "I think the game means a lot to a lot of people, and one of the things you’ll probably get asked someday down the road is ‘What was your record when you played against Tennessee?’"

Alabama has beaten Tennessee in seven straight meetings dating back to 2007 and outscored the Volunteers, 249-75, during that stretch.

The one close game since Alabama's current winning streak began came in 2009 when nose tackle Terrence Cody spared No. 1 Crimson Tide from an upset with two blocked field goals -- including one as time expired -- in a 12-10 win against former Vols head coach and current Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin in his lone season in Knoxville. Saturday will mark the first time Kiffin has faced his former school since his departure.

"I think it’s only a distraction if you allow it to be a distraction," Saban said Monday on Kiffin's return.

Arie Kouandjio reflects on past knee injuries

It seems hard to believe now only one week after earning SEC Lineman of the Week, but there was a time in the not-so-distant past that Arie Kouandjio questioned his football future.

Multiple knee surgeries kept Kouandjio out for most of the 2011 season, and it carried over into the spring of 2012. At least on one occasion, the thought came across his mind to call it quits on his football-playing career.

"It was pretty tough," Kouandjio said. "I just remember, I think my younger brother (former Alabama offensive tackle Cyrus Kouandjio) called my father in secret – I didn’t find out until later – but he told my dad I was having a tough time and my dad called me and I thought it was like magic at first.

"My dad talked to me and just reminded me where I get my strength from and my resiliency, and I’m here today."

Kouandjio, now a senior, is arguably Alabama's most experienced offensive lineman and one of the team's biggest leaders on the offensive side of the ball. A second-year starter at left guard where he started alongside younger brother Cyrus who left for the NFL after last season, Kouandjio was also recently named a mid-season first-team All-American by CBSSports.com and a third-team selection by Phil Steele.

None of this comes as a shock to Saban, despite being told at the time by the Alabama medical staff that Kouandjio's recovery from his knee injuries were "going to be a really, really tough rehab."

"I think when you have those kinds of issues and those kinds of adversities in your life, it takes a certain kind of character to overcome it, and I know he has that kind of character," Saban said.

Injury report

Center Ryan Kelly (knee) and right tackle Austin Shepherd (ankle, knee) look like they may be ready to play against Tennessee.

Kelly, who has missed the past two games after spraining his knee in Alabama's loss at Ole Miss, has practiced since Monday, and Shepherd, who sprained both his knee and ankle last week against Texas A&M, returned Wednesday.

 

Watch player interviews from Wednesday below and be sure to subscribe to Tide 99.1's YouTube channel:

Jonathan Allen:

Arie Kouandjio:

 

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