Alabama Football hits the road this week making the short trip up to Nashville to face the Vanderbilt Commodores fresh off of a 41-34 win in a marquee matchup with the Georgia Bulldogs.

I said last week how important having X-Factors are in a big matchup. Last week I pointed out the importance of Alabama tight ends C.J. Dippre and Josh Cuevas, and it was clear from the beginning that the Tide were going to utilize the tight ends. Adding in Robbie Ouzts, Alabama tight ends accounted for seven receptions for 68 yards.

I also called for a Kendrick Law breakout game, and I’m convinced that was on track to happening until Law went out with an injury in the second quarter and didn’t return.

While not a marquee matchup this week against the ‘Dores, Alabama could still use some unsung guys to step up this week. Let’s examine three players who could do just that:

3. Kobe Prentice

The emergence of freshman phenom Ryan Williams has directly impacted Kobe Prentice’s playing time, and the junior has gotten off to a slow start to 2024. He’s made plays in the few opportunities he’s gotten, catching seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown on the season.

The touchdown came in the fourth quarter against USF, with Alabama leading by only one point. It was the beginning of the dam breaking for the Tide’s offense.

Prentice could be in line for an increased role in Week 6 with Kendrick Law’s status up in the air following the injury on Saturday night. There hasn’t been an update on Law’s status since Kalen DeBoer’s postgame press conference, where all he said was that Law had a lower body injury.

Hopefully it isn’t long term, and Law will be back in time for the Tennessee game in a few weeks. He’s a huge part of the offense even when he isn’t getting the football. He’s an exceptional downfield blocker and is a big reason the edges were open for Alabama on Saturday, directly leading to the 28-0 start to the game.

Prentice has been WR4 this year, and he’s likely to see a lot more playing time. With the focus of opposing defenses shifted further and further toward Williams in light of his torrid start to the season, guys like Prentice could really benefit.

Look for Prentice to have his best game of the young season in Nashville.

2. Justin Jefferson

After getting thrown out of the USF game for targeting, Jefferson has been a bit quiet the last two games. His best asset is his ability to handle mobile quarterbacks, and it’s no surprise his best game came against the Bulls with QB Byrum Brown.

Jefferson played just 20 snaps in that game, but accounted for 10 tackles. Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia will present similar challenges running the football, which could open up an increased role for Jefferson.

Deontae Lawson and Jihaad Campbell are playing so well that it makes it tough to get Jefferson on the field, but when he does get out there, he typically makes plays. I think he’ll see more work this weekend and do what he does.

1. Jam Miller or Justice Haynes

Alabama’s running back duo has been underutilized in the season’s first four games. Jam Miller and Justice Haynes have taken a back seat to the electrifying Jalen Milroe in the running game. Milroe carried the ball more than the two combined against the Bulldogs, and for the season Milroe has just seven less carries than Miller and Haynes have combined for.

Some of that has been due to the sheer number of read-option looks Alabama has given defenses, and a lot of times the right play has been Milroe to keep. And then a lot of designed QB runs in the redzone that have been very effective because the backs give you an extra blocker.

But it will be important to get the dynamic duo more involved in the coming weeks. Milroe is so important to this offense and doesn’t need to keep taking unnecessary hits.

Especially in a game against Vanderbilt where Alabama is the heavy favorite, DeBoer and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan need to make Miller and Haynes a focal point of the offensive gameplan and let them pound the Commodores into submission.