KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee believes it has regained its status as one of the Southeastern Conferences top programs.An opportunity for the Volunteers to prove that comes Saturday.No. 1 Alabama (6-0, 3-0) puts an 18-game winning streak on the line when it heads to Neyland Stadium to face the ninth-ranked Vols (5-1, 2-1). Tennessee is seeking to end a nine-game losing streak in this annual series and a 12-game skid against all SEC Western Division programs.In the previous years, we didnt really know how wed do against the premier SEC teams, but now we see ourselves as one of the premier SEC teams, Tennessee safety Todd Kelly Jr. said. With that being said, we know we can play with anybody.Tennessees most recent meeting with Alabama gives the Vols cause for confidence.The Vols led in the fourth quarter at Tuscaloosa last season before falling 19-14 to the eventual national champions. Only one of Alabamas previous eight victories over Tennessee in this nine-game streak had been decided by fewer than 14 points.The skill players that they have make them very difficult to defend, and I think they have gotten better each year on defense, Alabama coach Nick Saban said. Certainly their defense has played a lot better this year and has been very, very difficult to defend. This is a very, very good team, for sure a top-10 team in the country, and its going to be a very challenging game for us.This marks Tennessees fourth straight game against a ranked foe. Tennessee also is dealing with multiple injuries, including the losses of defensive captains Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Cam Sutton.That helps explain why Alabama enters this game as a 13-point favorite.Vols coach Butch Jones calls this the best Alabama squad he has faced in his four-year tenure, but he also says this is his most confident Tennessee team.They dont care who the opponent is, Jones said. They feel like were the University of Tennessee. Do we have great respect for our opponents? Absolutely. Do our players understand whats at store on Saturday? Absolutely.This is a monumental challenge, again, with the No. 1 team in the country. All you have to do is watch (Alabamas) video... and they get instant respect, which they deserve. But its something that weve talked about in our program since weve come here. Why not Tennessee?---Here are some things to watch Saturday when Tennessee hosts Alabama.BAMA ON THE ROAD: Alabamas first two SEC road games had the common denominator of inconsistency. The Tide fell way behind in a 48-43 victory at Mississippi and jumped out far ahead of Arkansas before letting off the gas some in the second half of a 49-30 triumph . Weve played very well at times both the road games that weve had in the SEC, Saban said. And then weve had some not so good times in those same games. I think the big thing is you cant relax when youre on the road.TENNESSEES TURNOVER TROUBLE: Tennessee has fumbled 21 times this season, the most of any Football Bowl Subdivision program. The Vols have lost eight of those fumbles and have a total of 16 turnovers. Kansas, Duke and Bowling Green are the only FBS teams that have committed more turnovers. Tennessee must protect the football against Alabama, which has scored an FBS-leading seven defensive touchdowns .VOLS BACKFIELD: Tennessee running back Jalen Hurd is expected to play Saturday after missing a double-overtime 45-38 loss at Texas A&M last week due to an unspecified injury. The Vols must figure out how to divide carries between Hurd and Alvin Kamara, who had a school-record 312 all-purpose yards last week.INTRIGUING MATCHUP: Alabama left tackle Cam Robinson is expected to spend much of the day blocking Tennessees Derek Barnett, who has five sacks over his last three games. Both players are considered potential first-round draft picks.ANOTHER SLOW START? Tennessee has been outscored 62-17 in the first quarter and has trailed by double digits in five of its first six games. The Vols came all the way back in each of those games -- they lost to Texas A&M in overtime after erasing a 28-7 deficit -- but they likely cant afford to fall too far behind against a team as strong as Alabama.---AP Sports Writer John Zenor in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, contributed to this report.---Online:The APs college football page: http://collegfootball.ap.org Jack Youngblood Womens Jersey . After taking two big hits this week -- losing at home and dropping back-to-back games for the first time all season -- Indiana struck back by playing its most complete game of the year. Torry Holt Womens Jersey . Numbers Game looks into the Canadiens securing the services of Thomas Vanek in a trade with the New York Islanders. The Canadiens Get: LW Thomas Vanek and a conditional fifth-round pick. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Todd-Gurley-Jersey/ . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. Tyler Higbee Rams Jersey . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. Robert Woods Youth Jersey . -- Vincent Lecavalier got everything but the desired result in his return to Tampa Bay. KANSAS CITY, Kan. -- Kurt Busch had a tire go down in the final seconds of the last practice session for Sundays Sprint Cup race at Kansas, sending his car spinning down the track and into the front-stretch grass.The car plowed through the mud and sustained significant damage on Saturday, forcing Busch into his backup car for the race. The Chase contender had qualified sixtth.ddddddddddddusch is fifth among the 12 drivers still in the Chase after last weeks race at Charlotte, the first of three races in the second round of NASCARs playoffs.The top eight drivers advance to the next round after Kansas and Talladega. ' ' '