KNOXVILLE — Tennessee (2-2, 2-2 SEC) will host No. 2 Alabama (4-0, 4-0 SEC) Saturday at Neyland Stadium (3:30 p.m. EDT, CBS).
Both head coaches in the contest, Nick Saban of Alabama and Jeremy Pruitt for Tennessee, field a split safety coverage defensive scheme.
There is, however, one difference in the scheme between Pruitt and Saban.
Saban favors a STUBBIE call within a split safety coverage compared to Pruitt.
STUBBIE is when the cornerbacks play tight coverage and are not off the ball. On the weak-side, STUBBIE and STUMP are the same.
Saban is known to not want to play STUMP because cornerbacks play a lot press coverage, causing him to think his players do not execute when playing off coverage. Saban likes to play STUBBIE to play tighter coverage.
STUMP is referred to as being on the front-side of the formation. STUMP starts on the weak-side.
The cornerback will play eight yards off of the Z-receiver and one yard inside or outside.
The cornerback will play inside third, covering the receiver in man coverage unless he is short and not vertical.
A quarter zone takes place if the wide receiver runs short and under. The defensive alignment also has the STAR playing one yard outside and six yards off of the Z-receiver, playing flat.