Alabama’s defense is getting noticed. It is ranked No. 1 in the SEC, allowing an average of 271.9 yards per game.

Against Texas A&M last Saturday, Alabama had 56 total tackles with 12 for a loss of 51 yards. It also recorded six sacks, four interceptions and seven pass breakups.

During Tuesday afternoon’s practice before Tennessee comes to Tuscaloosa, coach Nick Saban was working with the Alabama secondary during the media-viewing period. The secondary appeared to focusing on one-on-one coverage, in hopes of adding to the 12 interceptions the team has racked up this season. Junior Eddie Jackson leads Alabama with five interceptions for 230 yards.

Practice Notes:

• The defensive lineman, including Dalvin Tomlinson, Jonathan Allen, D.J. Pettway and A’Shawn Robinson, went through drills that focused on quick reaction times at the snap.
• O.J. Howard, Hale Hentges and other tight ends worked on blocking during the first half of the viewing period.
• Running backs also worked on blocking during the first half of the viewing period. Later, they joined an offensive and defensive line to work on finding holes and running routes.
• Jake Coker and the other quarterbacks were on the far side of the practice field with the wide receivers. The wide receivers, such as Calvin Ridley, Richard Mullaney and ArDarius Stewart, ran both long routes and quick out routes. It did not look like there were many passes dropped.
• Quarterback Blake Barnett was back at practice Tuesday afternoon after missing practice last week.
• Center Ryan Kelly was at practice wearing a black jersey. He participated in drills that were not physical. During Monday’s press conference, Saban said Kelly is under concussion protocol. He should be okay to play Saturday, but Saban said the medical staff has to make that decision.