Rapid Reaction: Tide dominates Vols in all phases in rout at Rocky Top
Alabama played its best game of the season with a 49-10 win against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium, hardly showing any weak spots to assert its standing in the college football landscape.
What it means: Alabama should remain No. 1 after not even being tested on Saturday. The team has won three crucial SEC games, this one perhaps the most impressive. Tennessee likely falls out of the top 10, but Tennessee is still very much in the hunt for the SEC East crown. Tennessee’s schedule is favorable for the remainder of the season, while new East leader Florida faces LSU, Georgia and Arkansas. Tennessee holds the tiebreaker if the two teams finish the season with identical SEC records.
What I liked: In the first half, Alabama dominated statistically. Whether it was Damien Harris, Joshua Jacobs or Jalen Hurts running the ball, Alabama found great success on the ground, which has been a big key to the team’s success. While it didn’t necessarily show up on the scoreboard during the first half, it showed the statistical difference more prominently during the second half, 28-3 in favor of Alabama. The defense was particularly impressive against Tennessee’s running attack, allowing exactly as many yards as carries (32).
What I didn’t like: The Alabama passing game had its roughest outing of the season. Hurts threw an interception and lost a fumble. The fumble helped put Tennessee in position at the Alabama 11-yard line, resulting in the Volunteers’ lone touchdown of the game. For Tennessee, the offense was anemic. The team’s lack of depth was painfully evident against a team of Alabama’s caliber.
Who’s the man: Jalen Hurts. Hurts didn’t have the strongest passing game during the first half. However, Hurts ran the ball effectively throughout the game and didn’t get flustered passing the ball. Hurts found open receivers during the second half, whether it was ArDarius Stewart, Calvin Ridley or O.J. Howard.
Key plays: The biggest play of the game was probably Ronnie Harrison’s 58-yard interception return for a touchdown. It killed momentum Tennessee began to build on offense and gave Alabama a 14-0 lead. It also continued Alabama’s streak of non-offensive touchdowns dating back to last season’s College Football Playoff semifinal against Michigan State. Hurts’ 45-yard run for a touchdown was a career-long and probably the most exciting offensive play for Alabama. For Tennessee, Derek Barnett’s forced fumble gave the Volunteers hope briefly in the first half and played a big role in the team’s lone touchdown of the game.
What’s next: Alabama returns home to Bryant-Denny Stadium to face another top 10 team in Texas A&M. The Alabama-Texas A&M game is likely to be one of the most hyped games of the season with both teams in the top 10 and unbeaten. The season is far from over, although this game could have a big impact on which team wins the SEC West and perhaps the SEC.
Tennessee receives a bye week before facing an SEC road game against South Carolina. With all of the team’s injuries, a bye week is badly needed.
Butch Jones laid out a huge brick for sure.
Congrats to Alabama. Great game plan, great coaching, outstanding talent…Once again the coaching on our part was terrible. I mean come on, going into this game, this is the best game plan you can come up with. Hurd for 2, Hurd for 2, pressure on third down, and punt. All in all its a shame. Yes Vol nation is proud of this team, but today we gave up late in the 3rd qtr. Injuries, yep. Nice knowing you mike debord
If he got diren this loss would almost be worth it.
Averaged a yard a run. Where’d this “two” come from? I’m kidding. My Tennessee part of the family is calling for Tennessee’s OC’s job. Thoughts?
UT fans talked a lot of $hit before the game….Kentucky was more of a challenge.
Most of us expected in game decisions and changes. Apparently our OC knows nothing but screen passes and predictable runs when we face bama. Our defense can’t do it all lol
Don’t worry. Your defense wasn’t good either.
That’s what happens when you go 3 and out every drive. It was a complete ass kicking either way
Reality check?
Coming from UGA?
Yall r next?
Next for what? Lmao nobody scared of yal.
Little boy know when to shut up lol we lost to Vandy. If we don’t beat Tenn, UF and GT in the same year then we have no right to open our mouths. Till then please stfu lol
it was a joke lol
A Gator has no room to talk. Bottom dwelling lizard.
Bottom dwelling?
Ditto?
Where the Vol fans at???????
Im right here and stuffed from my plate of crow. I honestly thought this game would be highly competitive but it was the most embarrassing thing ive witnessed in a long time as a Vol fan. Coming into this game we hadnt lost by more than a TD in over a year and a half so i definitely thought we stood a chance but damn was i wrong. I really wish i could blame something, injuries, penalties, refs but no, this was a good ole fashioned statement game by Bama. Maybe it was blind faith, maybe ignorance or maybe homerism but i truly thought yall were overrated. Dead wrong. Thats as complete of a team as ive ever seen yall have. Yalls wrs took our DBs to the front row and bought them drinks and hotdogs on blocking and your lines absolutely demolished us. If we didnt have derek barnett, who was the only vol who looked like he belonged out there yesterday, it may have been a 60 point win. It breaks my heart to say it but Saban is the greatest College coach in history, his system, his demand for excellence and his coaching hires have built a dynasty that i dont see anyone overtaking for as long as he wants to coach. And as much as i hate kiffin the man is as good of an OC as there is in the nation. If ive learned one thing from football this year its to NEVER doubt Saban or Bill Belichek. You’ll look like a fool if you do.
Tennessee is pure garbage
Hard to win without 8 starters. 3 freshman on OL for first time
Well in the Sec to be successful you have to have depth… Most your injuries were on defense dosnt explain your offense. Bama out scroed TN’s O with defense and special teams.
Exactly my thoughts on it. Can’t really blame our D if our offense can’t do their part. They came up with 2 turnovers and we’re holding their own in the first half. I’d imagine they were tired from our offense going 3 and out every drive. Adjustments and common sense apparently disappear from Debord’s capabilities when bama comes to town.
A tired defense is useless.
Exactly.
Hil be the first to take a bite of humble pie. Congrats bama you have reached the status of legion the way yall sub starters for starters is something every team wants but few can have i can say the injuries were the reason i am confident yall would still have won but i wish tennessee was healthy to put up a fight again great show of dominance.
What i seen was that the depleted tennessee team fielded a team who physically incapable of competing with the high caliber players of bama. We had 3 rd string backers in. Missing 7 starterd. Reeves maybin and Kirkland would have sealed the edges. Sutton and formean. Our center whos a tank out hurt. Hopefully they get a trip to Atlanta with a more rested healed team. Either way, its not over.
We still beat you all with our back ups. You all duck d i c k georgia. You lost to vandy.
You replied to yourself…. idiot
Right……it’s over.
Dont make excuses they won outright cant blame it on injuries it happens.
We may not even get to Atlanta. long season still ahead. Vandy will be a tough one for sure. oh and Florida now controls their own destiny. Disgusted today with the coaching. Proud of the players for the season
If we dont get better on O we will have a tough tough time with Arkansas and LSU. Dont count them out yet.
Florida is a good team but i think LSU hands it to them. Guice, williams and Fournette are as good of a trio as ive seen in football since mcfadden, felix jones and peyton hillis. And are playing much more inspired football under orgeron. If the ball bounces right and the football gods shine down upon them they could have a chance, a tiny tiny one, at giving bama an L
Wheels came off for Tennessee today.
And left us all behind. Does it count if they make it in the end zone?
We deserve to take all the crap you can throw at us. This is the SEC. Injuries or not butch jones gave up and that’s f’ing disgusting. Pathetic effort all around by the coaching staff
Here have a fork we have alot of humble pie to eat
I ain’t gonna lie, I might need a shovel for my slice.
At least you guys didn’t lose to vandy. I’ll take a beatdown from Saban over a loss to vandy every time.
Just a good old fashioned a$$ whipping. Luckily we have a bye week up now, time to get healthy and get our minds right. It’s not completely over.
Bye week will definitly help yal… Perfect weekend for one, my girl is a Vol Im a gator and its Elk rifle season next weekend in Colorado, so no football for us lol.
Yikes. I figured we’d lose but I thought it may be closer than that. I’m nauseated. Alabama is unbelieveable. Enjoy those cigars. Those players deserved it.
This is one impressive team to watch. No more really need be said, even though I’m sure I will later.
Tennessee is garbage but I won’t lie Georgia is trash too lol
East* Tennessee is the best the east has.
Yeah the east is HORRENDOUS this year
If UGA keeps the recruiting up then UGA has a bright bright furniture. I wouldn’t really compare ‘m cause it’s an impossible feat but Saban lost to Miss St and La Monroe year one. Gotta look to the future. Vandy better celebrate while they can.
Future*
That’s what I keep telling everybody. Don’t believe the hype. Just stay patient and quit expecting instant results. I had no expectations for this season. Next year I’d like to get 10 wins and by year three Kirby will have the players and depth he’s been looking for. But damnnnnn Bama gave no f’s tonight lol
Agreed the East s*cks.
This Tennessee fan is right here…I am one of the true fans that stays until the end no matter what…..Total domination by a very good Alabama team….I offer no excuses….you kicked our butt….Congratulations on 10 in a row! Hopefully we can heal up ….hope FL loses one more…and win out …..and try again Dec 5!
Hopefully we get a rematch?
yeah we are vol fans we like our heart problems.
Maybe then we’ll see a better game? Possibly?
Yes…a rematch….Would not expect anything less! Go Vols! Still a lot to play for!
Would be the first time ever our storied programs had the chance to meet in atlanta. Historic opportunity for sure.
I repeat….Luck…Ran…Out.
Didn’t think I’d see a SC fan on here trolling another team until they actually had a winning season.
Not trolling, just stating facts, and for the record we’ve only had one losing season this decade, although this season will make two. The fact that you are unaware of that, and the amount of time you spend defending TN, I’m guessing perhaps if this game went the other way your icon would be a power T right about now.
I mean who really pays attention to SC outside of your fan base? No one because SC has never really been a relevant program. Second, no where in my previous statement did I defend Tennessee? I think you can use a little reading comprehension skills. Nice try on the come back though. Enjoy losing more games this season.
That shows your football knowledge right there, yes we get it Alabama is great, that’s why you hopped on that bandwagon. I could easily change my icon too and take shots at every other program but I’m a fan, not a worthless pos troll like yourself. And yes you have constantly defended TN in the past but go ahead now and lie about its cool, everyone can see you are nothing more than a bandwagon fan. And yes enjoy the fact that SC is down this year and maybe for a few more seasons, but I seem to remember who was more relevant the last time SC and Bama met, something your true favorite team hasn’t done in 10 years. Enjoy riding the success of others, and have fun switching your icon back to the power T when Saban retires.
Didn’t think I’d see a Vol fan posing as a Bama fan on here, but you learn something everyday. By the way, way to avoid the original post, nice troll attempt but I’m guessing like most aspects of your life, you failed.
Thanks for showing how ignorant you. Never have I once defended Tennessee. By me clocking on your icon and reading your comment history, you can easily see you have trolled many post about Tennessee. So who is obsessed with Tennessee? I graduated from Alabama and my grandparents and father are Alabama alumni. So I’m hardly a bandwagon fan. I’m sure you’re just some t-shirt buying fan who has never attended the college you’re pulling for. Also, Alabama is 12-3 against your little Gamecocks and have went on to win 3 national championships since that game. Now please tell me how many championships does SC have??? I have had a run in with you on this site before and keep proving how ignorant you are. I think you might want to go argue with a Vandy or Kentucky fan. Oh wait, Kentucky actually has pulled ahead of SC. I’d be salty too if I pulled for a team that has no winning tradition..Anyone can have a bad century of football right?
*clicking
Why are you here SC fan? We just blew out a team that could blow out your team!
@kdea you constantly chime I about how great TN is, but continue lying and congrats on the degree from Bama, I guess that makes you chief weedeater on your landscaping crew, congrats. Also looking at your posts, you seem obsessed with Muschamp, was it your wh*re mother or wh*re wife that he F*cked, either way I see why you are salty. But seriously how does this work, do you change your icon to a power T when you are ready to jump off the bandwagon, or do you just create a new account?
@Auburns*cks I’m sorry you are b*tthurt I called your boyfriend out for being a closet Vol fan, but since you are a little slow and missed the original post, do you disagree that TN’s luck has ran out? Do you think they honestly continue to win with their turnover diff and injuries?
I doubt Vandy could upset Tennessee. The only thing the last two games proved is that Tennessee is the 2nd or 3rd best team in the SEC (with a huge step down from no.1 to no.2.)
Tennessee had 7 turnovers against A&M and then got crushed against Alabama. If they lose another game I would be shocked.
@auburnsucks TN’s had struggled all season to play a complete game all year. They have injuries that take depth out of the equation, and they are a very undisciplined team i.e. the turnover diff. I can definetly see them underestimating a vandy, sc, or even ky and dropping one they on paper should win. Also have to disagree about them being 2nd or 3 rd best team in the sec. You could almost argue that any team out of the west could be in the lead if they were in the east with the exception of maybe miss state. The gap between the east and west maybe the largest it’s ever been.
Guess we’ll see how it plays out
id like to say its hard to claim we were only lucky. Anyone who watched the A&M game will tell you that we thoroughly dismantled their offense and without half those turnovers we would have ran them off the field. Thats no disrespect to A&M. They won and deserved it because turnovers are a controllable part of a game and we didnt control our chances but have you ever seen a team have 7 turnovers and still get 680+ yards of offense, score 35 points, come back from 21 down and take the #8 team in the nation to double OT? especially in an SEC matchup? Weve got a lot of heart and talent, neither of which was present vs the tide yesterday.
Thank you for backing your claim up with supporting facts. My point is that TN can not continue to win with that turnover differential. This problem has not gotten better as the season progressed it has actually gotten worse. I said at the beginning of the season that the Vols were a 3-4 loss team, and a majority of the fanbase lost their minds. It wasn’t a knock, it was a fair assessment and as a SC fan this year I would love a 3-4 loss season, lol but the majority of Vol fans just got nasty. Now here we are and the Vols are dropping one by one (Strength and conditioning coach may need a good evaluation at the end of the season), the proverbial 9 lifes of a football team was used up for the Vols in the first 5 games, and with the trend of turnovers, it’s safe to say TN will likely lose one of these games that they on paper should win going forward, which would bring them to 3 loses with a possible 4th coming from a bowl game.
Orange headed step kids!
Aggies – you are up next! Hopefully you can hang for the first half.
Blah blah blah
TN coaching wasnt Saban caliber. Of course not. Tired of seeing the blame going to Butch Jones when its really not him to blame. Its, in fact, Mike Debords blame. If he doesnt get fired after this game, TN doesnt have a chance to finish first in the East. Not to mention, Dobbs, again, showed how bad of a passer he is. He needs to keep the running game instead of throwing interceptions. A new OC and QB and TN has much better chances. Yes, many players out affected the game, but you cant win a game with just defense. Bama is a number 1 team and plays like one. Talent runs deep in every position. Bama doesnt play heros. They play as a team. Every TN player wants to be a hero instead of a team mate. They refuse to sacrifice a momemt of stardom for an advancing team play. TN players are stuck on themselves.
That the difference in play between Bama and other schools. They play as a team. When other teams learn to play as a team, then they might be able to play as a team. TAMU, Vandy, Ky are the only other teams learning to play as a team that ive seen.
Thats the facts.
Congrats Bama.
I call Bs on this “Player first mentality” if tennesse didnt have players giving it all for the team and picking each other up theres no way in hell we would have rallied vs georgia, vtech, florida and A&M with the adversity and injuries weve had. You can call a lot of things into question about this team but effort, heart and team play (with the exception of yesterday) arent one of em.