The Alabama Crimson Tide hosted the Tennessee Volunteers for the annual “Third Saturday in October” rivalry game and trailed 20-7 at the half. With the season teetering on the brink of collapse, the Crimson Tide dug deep and pummeled the Vols 27-0 in the second half.
What did we learn about the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday?
The Tide Get Revenge
Alabama remembered last season’s loss to Tennessee in Knoxville. The Crimson Tide looked well on their way to losing two in a row to the Volunteers, as they were thoroughly outclassed in the first half. After one quarter, Alabama only had one first down to Tennessee’s ten. The Vols entered the game with the league’s best-rushing offense, and Alabama keyed in on stopping the run, allowing Joe Milton to complete nine straight passes and get into rhythm. Like an earlier game against Texas A&M, Alabama flipped the script in the second half. Tennessee’s win last year ended 15 years of Alabama dominance. Tide linebacker Chris Braswell said this game “was personal” to him and his teammates, and it showed in the 27-0 second half.
Big Play Offense
Alabama’s offense is not consistent. They struggle to put together long drives and go into a coma for lengthy periods of games. The main culprit appears to be an inability to run the ball successfully. Jase McClellan finished with 115 yards, but it took him 27 carries to get there. Jalen Milroe can be electric in the open field but seldom has his number called on designed quarterback runs, with only three rushing yards in Saturday’s win. Still, this offense can bite you with explosive plays that change the game. The first drive of the second half is a perfect example: McClellan burst for 29 yards, and Milroe connected with Isaiah Bond for a 46-yard touchdown. Two plays, 75 yards, and just like that, the Crimson Tide were back in the game. Is that type of offense one they can rely on to do enough to keep pace with LSU in the upcoming showdown for the SEC West?
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Grounded VolsTennessee entered Saturday’s game with the SEC’s best rushing attack. Alabama’s defensive game plan focused on slowing down the Volunteers rushing game and making Milton beat them through the air. The Crimson Tide allowed more passing success than they had expected in the first half, but the defensive game plan worked. Tennessee was held to 133 rushing yards, and 59 of those came from Milton. The running backs were limited all game: Dylan Sampson with 28 yards, Jabari Small with 24 yards, and Jaylen Wright with 22 yards. The group combined for only one run of ten yards or more. Alabama did not believe Tennessee’s passing attack could beat them, and that philosophy was proven correct.
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