Tennessee fans having a hard time believing Vols called out Alabama to ESPN sideline reporter
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Tennessee hasn’t beaten Alabama on the gridiron since 2006. The Crimson Tide’s 12-year streak is the longest in the 100-year history of the series and considering only two of those matchups were decided by less than a two-touchdown margin, it’s hard for many to believe the Volunteers would be talking trash to Nick Saban’s program heading into Saturday’s game in Tuscaloosa.
However, that’s exactly what happened this week, according to ESPN sideline reporter Molly McGrath.
McGrath will be working Saturday night’s game between Alabama and Tennessee but before she makes her way down to Tuscaloosa, the ESPN reporter worked Thursday night’s UCLA-Stanford game. During one point of that broadcast, McGrath was asked to discuss the 101st edition of the Third Saturday in October.
According to McGrath, Alabama is working hard to not overlook Tennessee.
“I spoke with Tua Tagovailoa the other day and Nick Saban has brought back the ‘rat poison’ comparisons so he’s keeping his team on top of it, they are not underestimating this opponent,” McGrath said on the air.
On the other hand, more than one Tennessee player apparently doesn’t have much respect for Alabama’s championship hopes.
“I talked to a couple of Tennessee players, they are very confident,” McGrath continued. “They said this doesn’t look like an Alabama team that can win a national championship. So there’s a lot of smack talking going on.”
McGrath later followed up with this statement once Twitter caught wind of her on-air comments:
I individually talk to players from every team before covering them that weekend. And this was an on the record conservation that I’ll expand upon in our game.
— Molly McGrath (@MollyAMcGrath) October 18, 2019
That comment caught the attention of many in Vol Nation wondering why Tennessee would poke the SEC’s most dominant program.
More like it's all kinds of stupid. Our players need to keep their pie holes shut. Why give Bama some bulletin board material and/or incentive to kick our heads in even worse.
— VC's SPORTS PICKS (The Colonel) (@TheVOLColonel) October 18, 2019
While many others simply aren’t buying that Tennessee players would make these comments:
It’s not a weird statement… it’s a fake news statement.
— Thanks Murphy ? (@JoNathanVol77) October 18, 2019
Because they didn’t. That’s the most garbage comment I’ve ever seen. Since when did this sideline reporter have contact with Tennessee players for this comment to be made? And why would they even be asked about Bama’a championship potential? I call BS.
— J (@jmor18) October 18, 2019
https://twitter.com/Georgia__Vol/status/1185042483371225094?s=20
Has to be fake. How could anyone associated with with Tennessee know what a National Championship team looks like?
— Hurt (@realhurt77) October 18, 2019
Sounds like it’s fake
— cal (@Caljohn16) October 18, 2019
Not saying it happened, but seems very odd. Just doesn't add up.
— ?Chris °|||||||° GB? (@Volguy15) October 18, 2019
Of the many comments, this may be the best response yet:
— Moore (@HextechEngineer) October 18, 2019
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
